West Ham United are still pushing for a new centre back, with just a matter of days to go until the domestic transfer deadline.
The Hammers failed to bring one in during the international window, and are now left to go for Championship options.
A number of options have been suggested, including Sean Morrison, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon and Steve Cook, but Craig Dawson appears to be the likely signing.
The Guardian now claim that Watford centre back Dawson is expected to complete a move to East London this week, worth a maximum of £4million.
Dawson, 30, isn’t a particularly exciting signing and doesn’t present a long-term solution, but he has plenty of Premier League experience and won’t break the bank.
Additionally, one West Ham coach already loves Dawson, with Stuart Pearce – West Ham’s first-team coach under David Moyes – having history with Dawson.
Pearce was England Under-21 boss when Dawson feautred between 2011 and 2013, and has previously been effusive with his praise of the former West Brom ace.
In 2011, Pearce told the Express and Star that he felt Dawson has ‘great courage’ and that teammates ‘love him to bits’, which may well explain why West Ham are so keen.
Pearce was at it again in 2012, telling Tribal Football that Dawson is a threat from set pieces, which will be provide another real threat for West Ham.
Pearce’s long-standing admiration of Dawson may well be playing into West Ham’s pursuit, with his quality and character both praised in the past by the Hammers coach.
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