Arsenal are set to hijack Liverpool’s bid for Stewart Downing after reportedly offering Aston Villa £18m for the winger. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sees Downing as a more than able replacement for Samir Nasri, who is widely expected to leave the Emirates this summer for either Manchester United or Manchester City.
Liverpool’s interest in Downing has been open for all to see and the Reds recently had a £15m bid for the England international turned down by the Villans. Arsenal’s ability to offer Champions League football to Downing is the biggest factor in their favour and may sway Downing to choose London over the North West should Liverpool match Aston Villa’s asking price for him.
Having already lost Ashley Young to Manchester United, Liverpool will be keen to avoid a repeat with Downing.
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