Liverpool ready to make new and improved £18m offer for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing - Telegraph
Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is adamant the England winger is not for sale and has already rejected a bid of £15 million from Liverpool this week.
Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, remains undeterred, however, and is now ready to test Villa's resolve further with an £18 million offer.
McLeish spoke to Downing last week and more detailed discussions are planned for Friday. A truce appears improbable, however. Downing, who has two years remaining on his contract, has his heart set on Anfield but may have to force the issue by handing in a transfer request.
"He had a magnificent season last year and really came to full maturity as a top player," said McLeish, who has already lost Ashley Young to Manchester United. "I understand why there are teams interested in him and that is what happens when you play well consistently.
''His performances last season were top drawer. That's why he's not for sale. I spoke to him briefly last week and I intend speaking to him again when all the lads are back in for training."
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Stewart Downing will hold showdown talks with Aston Villa on Friday in an attempt to force through his move to Liverpool this weekend.
Villa boss Alex McLeish yesterday insisted that the winger was not for sale at any price but has lined up Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia as his replacement.
Liverpool remain confident of tying up a deal for Downing despite the Midlanders' £20million valuation and are willing to table a final offer of £18million, which could see back-up striker David Ngog heading to Villa Park as a makeweight in the 26-year-old's capture.
Downing is furous at Villa's refusal to allow him to leave and will intimate his desire to join the ranks at Anfield when he meets with McLeish at the Bodymoor Heath training ground.
The former Middlesbrough man is now preparing to up the ante in a bid to see a deal concluded before the Reds fly out for their pre-season tour of the Far East on Sunday.
Meanwhile Liverpool announced tonight that they had concluded the signing of Blackpool captain Charlie Adam, who arrives at Anfield in a deal believed to be worth £7million.
Stewart Downing wants Liverpool FC deal concluded by Saturday > Liverpool FC > Sport | Click Liverpool