Middlesbrough tonight confirmed they have received and rejected a transfer request from England winger Stewart Downing.
The 24-year submitted a written transfer request first thing this morning in the wake of an improved offer from long-time suitors Tottenham.
Chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We received a written transfer request from Stewart this morning. It was considered before being rejected.
"Prior to receiving the transfer request, we received an improved offer for Stewart from Tottenham.
"We immediately rejected this offer and informed Tottenham that Stewart Downing is not for sale and any further interest they have in the player will not be entertained."
Downing signed a new five-year contract at the Riverside Stadium in February last year, but has grown increasingly restless at his home town club since.
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Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has already dismissed a bid - thought to be in the region of £6million - from the White Hart Lane outfit as "derisory", while manager Gareth Southgate has repeatedly insisted the England international is simply not for sale.
However, Downing's decision to submit a transfer request could force their hand with Southgate admitting when striker Ayegbeni Yakubu made it clear his future lay away from the Riverside Stadium that there was no point in hanging on to players who did not want to be there.
Southgate claimed Downing has remained unaffected by speculation over his future after his starring role in the FA Cup victory over Barrow.
The Boro boss said: "Stewart played in the middle of the park for us on Monday night (at Manchester United) and I think it has given him something else to focus on. It has given him a freshness and I think it gave us a bit more creativity."
Southgate is under no pressure to sell, although he had made no secret of the fact that he will have to raise his own funds if he wants to buy this month.
Boro value Downing at closer to the £15million mark but it remains to be seen whether or not Spurs, who have been admirers for several years, are prepared to go to anywhere near what would be a record transfer fee received by the Teessiders.
Southgate went on to reveal he is no fan of the transfer window, and it is no surprise given his lack of funds and the constant speculation over futures of the likes of Downing and Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli.
He added: "I think it's a bit of a nonsense the way it is. It's a distraction for the players - that's the issue. Agents are in the game to make money and they don't make money unless players sign new contracts or move."
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