Stewart Downing's frustration looked set to continue last night as Middlesbrough refused to grant his wish of a move to Harry Redknapp's Tottenham.
The England winger slapped in a transfer request on Monday morning following an increased offer from Spurs - thought to be around 12million pounds - but his attempts to force his way out of the club met with an unambiguous response from chief executive Keith Lamb.
"We received a written transfer request from Stewart this morning. It was considered before being rejected," Lamb said.
"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."
Boro's response comes as no surprise after Lamb, chairman Steve Gibson and manager Gareth Southgate all repeatedly insisted that the Academy graduate is simply not for sale.
But judging by the words of Downing's father, Stewart Snr, the 24-year-old may be unwilling to simply accept the decision of the Boro hierarchy given his growing disillusionment with life at the Riverside.
"Stewart's been frustrated since the summer, really," Downing Snr said.
"When he signed his new contract, he was assured that there would be significant investment in the squad."
"He feels that the club haven't matched those expectations. He's also frustrated that the team is once again struggling in the Premier League."
"Obviously as a Middlesbrough lad, he's thought long and hard about the decision to hand in a transfer request and he also hopes the fans will understand his reasons for doing so."
Tottenham have been on Downing's trail for several years and had already had a series of bids turned down, and it remains to be seen whether or not they test Boro's resolve to hang on to the player - or indeed, their patience - by returning once again.
The Teessiders value him at around to 15million pounds.
Boro is currently 17th in the Barclays Premier League table, clear of the drop zone only on goal difference, and Gibson is adamant none of their big names will be sold this month despite interest from various parties in Downing, Tuncay Sanli and Gary O'Neil, among others.
Fellow midfielder O'Neil is also understood to be unsettled after a difficult first season in the north-east, although Boro have rejected suggestions that he too has handed in his own transfer request amid suggestions he could return to Portsmouth.
Lamb said: "We have not received a transfer request from Gary, but if we did receive one it would be rejected, as would any offer from another club."