Former West Ham United striker Tony Cottee is urging David Moyes to keep hold of Craig Dawson amid interest from Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, speaking to talkSPORT (13 January, 2.30pm).
Saturday’s potential six-pointer between Wolves and West Ham at Molineux hardly needed another subplot, with just two points and two places separating a pair of underachieving sides at the bottom of the table.
But Wolves’ interest in veteran defender Dawson certainly adds another element of intrigue to colossal clash between a pair of relegation rivals.
“We’ve had an offer from Wolves,” Moyes tells the BBC at his pre-match press conference. “We’ve not accepted it. And that’s as much as I can tell you.”
Despite approaching his 33rd birthday, Dawson remains one of the most consistent and reliable performers in a West Ham side who have been anything but in 2022/23.
The former West Brom stalwart looked destined to fall down the pecking order this season, though injuries to Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd have only increased his importance; Dawson starting 11 games in all competitions.
David Moyes confirms West Ham have rejected Wolves bid for Craig Dawson
“I’d go as far as to say Dawson is our best defender,” argues Cottee; scorer of 23 goals in 67 Premier League outings in West Ham colours.
“I’m not talking about bringing the ball out from the back, or those silky skills, but from a purely defensive viewpoint; head it, clear it, kick it. I think Dawson has been fantastic. I want to see him stay.”
Wolves are long-time admirers of Dawson. They offered £5.25 million during the final few hours of the summer transfer window. But West Ham, who value the one-time Bolton youngster at £7 million, called off the move after Jan Bednarek – Dawson’s would-be replacement – opted for Aston Villa instead.
Dawson remains keen on a move to the Midlands, however; his family based a stone’s throw from Wolverhampton (Sky Sports).
“We can understand (why he may want to go),” Cottee adds. “But I wouldn’t say West Ham are lucky in the centre-half department at the moment. They have a lot of injures, and I can understand David Moyes turning (Wolves’ bid) down.
“They need to keep him at the moment. (By selling Dawson) all you’re doing is helping Wolves. It doesn’t help West Ham. They need Zouma back, Aguerd has been injured, Ogbonna’s been out. The only one who seems to stay fit is Craig Dawson.
“I want to keep him at the club. And I think West Ham need to do their best to keep him.”
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