West Ham United reportedly want to sign Craig Dawson from relegated West Bromwich Albion this summer.
Even in today’s over inflated transfer market, £20 million for Craig Dawson seems nothing short of ridiculous.
The Mail stated in late June that West Ham United had made a £12 million bid for the relegated player, only for West Bromwich Albion to demand £8 million more – a fee that would make Dawson the second most expensive defender in the Hammers’ history after Issa Diop.
In fairness to Dawson, he was one of West Brom’s better players, along with Ben Foster and Jay Rodriguez, as they finished bottom of the Premier League last season.
But you could forgive West Ham fans for feeling a little queasy amid reports that their club would have to part with £20 million for a solid yet unspectacular lower half Premier League defender.
Having said that, versatility is key in today’s game. West Ham, despite landing Diop for £25 million from Toulouse, are a little light on quality options at centre-back while they hardly boast a whole host of right-backs either.
The veteran Pablo Zabaleta is well past his best while the out-of-favour Sam Byram is expected to leave.
Dawson, then, could be two signings in one. He is a centre-back by trade but has proved himself as a more than effective right-back in recent seasons at West Brom.
It is this versatility that could just make a £20 million bid worth for West Ham. He could solve two weak areas in Manuel Pellegrini’s squad.
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