Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is not moving to Tottenham.

The Mail on Sunday says Downing will not be allowed to leave Middlesbrough in the January transfer window, despite strong interest from Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson has blocked £15million-rated Downing from moving, believing it would send out the wrong signals as the club fight to stay in the Premier League.

A source said: "Boro don't see the point in selling their best player to one of their rivals down at the bottom. And the money isn't much use if you can't bring in the right kind of players as replacements in January.

"Getting relegated costs a lot more than £15m. It's time for all the players to stick together and turn results around.

"Gareth has a good relationship with Stewart and, hopefully, the player will react in the same way as Gareth Barry when his move from Aston Villa to Liverpool fell through."