Dharmesh Sheth: West Ham United unlikely to sign centre-back replacement for Craig Dawson
West Ham United are unlikely to bolster their defensive ranks in the closing days of the January transfer window despite the departure of Craig Dawson, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Hammers sanctioned the exit of 32-year-old Dawson to Premier League rivals Wolves earlier this window, while Kurt Zouma could be out for a month after picking up a thigh injury against Everton, suggesting further defensive signings could be made.
And with the Hammers still partaking in the European Conference League, their schedule is likely to get even busier in the closing months of the season as they look to pull themselves clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
However, Sky Sports reporter Sheth suggested David Moyes won’t go shopping for any defensive reinforcements ahead of Tuesday’s (31 January) 11pm cutoff time.
He told GiveMeSport: “The information I’ve got when I posed the question: ‘will you go in for somebody considering Dawson’s gone and the slight injury to Zouma?’ The response I got was ‘unlikely’.
“I don’t think you can rule it out but it’s one of those situations where clubs know even if a player is injured they’re going to come back before the end of the season and probably within a month.
“So if you bring in another player, added wages and then the first-choice player comes back anyway, it leaves you in a bit of a position.”
Risky
Considering the injuries West Ham have already picked up in defence this season, it is a risky decision not to bring in any fresh faces, even on a short-term loan deal.
With Zouma injured, Dawson out the door, and Nayef Aguerd also prone to injury this season, Moyes could end up being short-staffed if his defence is struck by an injury or two.
The Hammers’ links with Senegalese centre-back Formosse Mendy have been shut down by a Football London report on Thursday (26 January), so Sheth’s assessment of proceedings at the London Stadium could well come fruition.
The main problem for Moyes’ side this window has been the amount of money they spent in the summer and the brimming wage bill they have racked as a result.
Marquee signings such as Lucas Paqueta, Gianluca Scamacca and Kehrer don’t come cheap, and therefore, the club cannot reinvest as they would have wished in this winter window.