Watford’s Craig Dawson is one of the defenders on West Ham United’s hit list but the Premier League outfit is running out of time in its pursuit of a new centre-half, according to the Daily Mail.
We have reached the point in this transfer window when hedging your bets and casting your net as wide as possible may be the way to go.
However, three is clearly not West Ham’s magic number. Last week Burnley rejected a third bid worth £31 million for England international James Tarkowski (Sky).
David Moyes’ side has also missed out on the likes of Jean-Claude Billong, Sven Botman and Cedric Kipre in this window, while the chances of Daniele Rugani swapping Juventus for the London Stadium look decidedly slim.
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb recently, the Italian’s agent said his client was happy in Turin despite slipping to fifth in the Juve pecking order.
Dawson might not be the most ambitious transfer target – but he could be a more realistic option for a West Ham side entering ‘panic buy’ territory.
The 29-year-old would arrive with bags of Premier League experience, of course, but it’s impossible to ignore the fact he failed to prevent Watford’s relegation from the top flight last term.
The Mirror (21 September, page 44) reports Dawson, who joined the Hornets in a £5.5 million deal from West Brom only last year, is also a target for Fulham and Burnley.
His arrival would hardly improve an atmosphere once again in danger of turning toxic, although Dawson would add proven, top-flight nous and tactical adaptability to West Ham’s squad.
The rangy defender can also fill in at right-back – another area where West Ham are weak.
West Ham’s record transfers
- Sebastien Haller
£45 million
- Felipe Anderson
£41.5 million
- Marko Arnautovic
£25 million
- Pablo Fornals
£24 million
- Issa Diop
£22 million
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