The 23 year old has played his whole professional career at The Riverside and he has made over 120 appearances for Boro since breaking into the first team in 2001.
However after the club's poor start to the season the fans,understandably, became a little bit anxious resulting in boos for the team. Although in recent weeks the Teesiders have picked it up a bit, beating the bottom and top placed teams in the league.
It is still thought though that Downing wants out because of the booing. There should be no shortage of clubs looking to sign the Boro number 19 after the quality he has displayed in the Premier League over the years. I wouldn't be surprised if the likes of Everton, Spurs, City or West Ham made an approach for him.
Just when you thought things were finally going right for Boro, something like this just knocks you back down.