Harry Redknapp moved closer to making his first signing as Tottenham Hotspur manager after the club matched Middlesbrough’s valuation of Stewart Downing last night.

Tottenham have pursued the England winger for more than three years, but might have clinched the deal with a package worth up to £15 million, matching the fee they paid for David Bentley in the summer. Downing’s arrival would be a victory for Redknapp, who has publicly bemoaned the shortcomings of his squad to Daniel Levy, the chairman. Levy had said that there would be “limited funds available” when Redknapp took over in October, but he appears to have been persuaded of their attacking failings. They have scored only five goals in the past seven Premier League matches. The signing would also focus attention on the futures of Aaron Lennon and Bentley. It has been an acrimonious tug-of-war for Downing’s services, with Keith Lamb, the Middlesbrough chief executive, accusing Tottenham of unsettling the winger.

Downing has been reluctant to move south on previous occasions and has not been angling to leave, but it is thought that he would accept an offer from Tottenham this time. He signed an improved five-year contract in February. Tottenham’s midfield has been unbalanced without a natural left winger in recent seasons. Edgar Davids and Teemu Tainio were tried and Steed Malbranque occupied the position before he left for Sunderland last summer. Bentley, Lennon, Luka Modric and Fraizer Campbell have played in the position this season. Tottenham considered alternatives including Morten Gamst Pedersen, of Blackburn Rovers, Denilson, of Bordeaux, and failed with bids to sign Adam Johnson, of Middlesbrough, and Diego Capel, the Seville player wanted by Juande Ramos, the former head coach.