Former England midfielder Stewart Downing has been told he can leave Middlesbrough on a free transfer this summer.
New boss Garry Monk has already started to reshape his squad after less than a fortnight in the job, and it is understood he does not see a long-term role for Downing, who has two years remaining on his contract.
As a result he has told the 32-year-old, who returned to his home-town club in a £5.5million move from West Ham in July 2015, he can go.
Sources on Teesside have insisted that the impending split is entirely amicable and the midfielder is sure to have admirers, as he did in January when he was linked with a loan move to Crystal Palace.