However, after signalling the club’s ambition
through the signing of Afonso Alves, Southgate persuaded the
23-year-old to put pen to paper on a five year deal.
Spurs are once again rumoured to be interested in the
winger this summer as well as Liverpool, who are looking to add to
their Champions League bound squad.
Southgate is adamant that Downing is going nowhere
however, and praised the ‘maturity’ in the player’s performances
towards the end of the campaign.
"We have to accept there will be speculation about our players
and, if they're the quality of Stewart and have had the sort of
season he has, that's inevitable," said Southgate.
"Stewart knows exactly what I want to try and achieve here and, as
far as we are concerned, he's not for sale.
"I fought long and hard to keep him and get him on a new contract
during the course of last season and I think we saw an increased
maturity in his performances towards the end."