West Ham are weighing up a move for Liverpool winger Stewart Downing, a source has told ESPN.
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce is shaping up his squad for the newcampaign and is considering Downing, 28, as an option, although no bidhas yet been made.The England international has had a difficult time at Anfield sincearriving from Aston Villa for £20 million in 2011, but did manage toimprove over the second half of last season.
It is unlikely, though, that the Reds would recoup anything like that fee if they were to agree to a sale.Allardyce is looking at the possibility of reuniting Downing with AndyCarroll, who completed a permanent move from Liverpool to West Ham onJune 19, in a deal worth an initial £15.5 million.
Downing failed to score or provide a single assist in the Premier Leagueduring his first season at Anfield, while he then had a tough start tohis second campaign, following the arrival of Brendan Rodgers to replaceKenny Dalglish as manager.
The winger frequently found himself playing out of position atleft-back, and also had his attitude questioned publicly by Rodgers inthe early weeks of the season.
Downing was linked with a November loan move to Championship sideMiddlesbrough - his first club - and was told by the Reds boss that hewas free to leave.
However, the former Villa man responded with greatly improved displays,earning praise from his manager in the process. He scored his firstleague goal for Liverpool against Fulham on December 22 and won back aregular place on the wing.
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