Stewart Downing not considering West Ham United interest

Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has claimed that he is not thinking about reported interest from West Ham United.

It was recently claimed that the Hammers had entered preliminary talks to sign the 28-year-old England international.

"It's not something I am going to consider," Downing is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "I think there have been a couple of rumours going around and maybe that's because I was told last season I could leave, but I have spoken to the manager and he's told me that he's happy for me to stay."

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that it would be difficult for the club to afford Downing.