Scottish Premiership challengers Rangers want Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Cameron Dawson, as do Championship trio Preston, Blackburn and Derby.
If it wasn’t for the evergreen Kieren Westwood, Cameron Dawson would surely be one of the first names on Sheffield Wednesday’s team sheet.
The highly-rated goalkeeper has lost his place between the sticks since Garry Monk took over at Hillsborough but it must be said that this is down to Westwood’s enduring brilliance, rather than any apparent weaknesses on Dawson’s part.
Reports from The Star that Rangers, Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End are all hoping to lure the 24-year-old away from the Steel City in the new year speak volumes about the potential of a shot-stopper who has really caught the eye with his cat-like reflexes and penchant for a penalty save.
The Owls academy product shot to fame with an outstanding display during a 0-0 draw between Wednesday and city rivals Sheffield United in November last year, turning aside a David McGoldrick spot-kick to cap a virtuoso performance.
Even Blades boss Chris Wilder, who isn’t always effusive with his praise, couldn’t help but pay tribute to a man who had almost single-handedly denied his United side all three points.
“The penalty save was a great save to be fair to the young goalkeeper, who was outstanding all night,” Wilder told the Star, while admitting, somewhat bizarrely, that he could be a distant relation of the 6ft 4ins glovesman.
“I thought he was outstanding. We watched the game against Norwich (in which Dawson shone despite a 4-0 defeat) and he saved a pen, and made some unbelievable saves.
“I think they’re lucky to have a very good young goalkeeper on their books.”
Dawson’s contract expires next summer and Wednesday could be forced to cash in during the January transfer window to avoid losing their homegrown talent for absolutely nothing.
He certainly has the talent to be Allan McGregor’s long-term successor at Rangers and links with Derby are surely no coincidence, given that the under-fire Kelle Roos continues to give supporters heart attacks on a weekly basis.
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