The Reds have been chasing the tricky wideman for some time, with bids of £12.5million and £15million having been knocked back.
Arsenal then entered the race, with it understood that Arsene Wenger tabled a big-money offer for the former Middlesbrough man.
£20m for Downing?!
You've got to be shitting me.
Well.. theres no doubt the fee is high but he was their best player last year and they have already lost their other star player in young. Its their right to hold out 4 a big fee.
All that said i think downing is a very good player who will hit the ground running and help liverpool push for the top 4. Hes an out and out winger which is what we need. I think he'll fit in well and im pretty impressed with our midfield options now including aquilani too. Strength in depth is what we need 2 succeed.
Some stats for the curious
Opta Sports
56% - Downing, Adam & Henderson created 239 chances in the PL last season, equivalent to 56% of Liverpool's 2010-11 total (429).
421 - Since Aug 2004, only 4 players (Lampard, Fabregas, Gerrard & Giggs) have created more PL chances than Stewart Downing.
He is a good player but worth no where near 20 milion why not sign Hazard or Mata for the same price ?