Harry Redknapp is still keen to sign Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, despite Birmingham City struggling to complete a deal so far this summer, reports the Birmingham Mail.  

Birmingham have made just three major signings so far this summer, bringing David Stockdale, Marc Roberts and Cheikh N’Doye to St Andrews’s, which has left Redknapp frustrated.

The 70-year-old is keen to sign Downing on a free transfer, but a settlement has not yet been made over the final two-years of the 33-year-old’s contract at the Riverside Stadium.

Despite a deal dragging out, Redknapp insisted he was still hopeful of signing the former England winger, he said: "It's not dead, it's a deal that interests me but getting it done has been the problem.

"I think he would be a good free transfer for us.”

Despite featuring regularly for Boro over the last two seasons, and making a combined total of 75 leagues appearances in both the Sky Bet Championship and Premier League, Downing’s second spell with the Teessiders is set to come to an end.

The 33-year-old does not feature in Garry Monk’s reshape at the Riverside Stadium, with Boro’s new manager telling the player he is free to leave his boyhood club this summer.

Downing is currently training with Boro’s under-23 squad and is unlikely to feature against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend.

Redknapp is also preparing his Birmingham squad for their opening day fixture, which sees them travel to Ipswich Town on Saturday.

The Verdict

It has been a frustrating summer for Harry Redknapp and Birmingham City, with their summer transfer business underwhelming.

However, they look set to continue their pursuit of Downing, and could still sign the winger between now and the end of the summer, which would give everyone at St Andrew’s a boost.

Even if Downing arrives, Redknapp will still have to search for new arrivals, with Birmingham’s squad still way short of where it needs to be if the club want to challenge for promotion.

Birmingham City fans… Let us know your thoughts!