Leicester City are joining the race for West Ham United winger Stewart Downing.

The People says Downing has offers on the table from all three clubs in the North East – with Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson as eager as any to recruit a player who made his name on Teesside.

Sunderland have had an initial £5m offer rejected and now Leicester City have been alerted to the availability of the winger.

Gibson is unlikely to win the battle as Downing, 30, wants to stay in the Premier League and now has firm offers on the table.