Wolves join Aston Villa in race for West Ham United defender Craig Dawson
David Moyes is set to decide whether to allow the departure of West Ham defender Craig Dawson amid growing interest, according to Mike McGrath.
The Telegraph journalist’s joint story with colleague John Percy reports that Wolves have joined Aston Villa in chasing the Hammers centre-back and it will be up to the manager to sanction his exit.
Steven Gerrard needs help with his back-line after the injury to Diego Carlos, but Bruno Lage also looks like he requires another man as Willy Boly is in advanced talks over a move to Nottingham Forest [Sky Sports].
McGrath wrote on Twitter on Monday afternoon (29 August): “Wolves and AVFC among the teams interested in WHUFC centre-back Craig Dawson. It will be down to whether David Moyes sanctions move”.
Wolves correspondent at Express & Star Liam Keen added on Twitter of their presence in the race: “Wolves’ interest in West Ham centre-back Craig Dawson is genuine.
“Has one year left on his deal and at 32 is Premier League experienced. Fits the bill for what Wolves want, as they target a replacement for Willy Boly’s likely departure.”
In-demand
Unless one of these Premier League teams are willing to throw some significant cash at the Irons it feels like it would be asking for trouble to let Dawson go.
He was an iron man for most of last season, with teammates dropping like flies around him, so it is unfortunate that his absence at the start of the campaign has contributed to a new injury crisis.
After spending a lot to sign Nayef Aguerd at the start of the window in order to avoid the same situation as last year, he was quickly ruled out in the preseason and those plans were ruined.
That forced Moyes back into the transfer market after Ben Johnson was sent out to face Erling Haaland to open the season, and landed Thilo Kehrer from Paris Saint-Germain.
With Angelo Ogbonna featuring in the European qualifiers he is back in the fold and Kurt Zouma was instrumental alongside Kehrer in the first win of the season at Aston Villa on Sunday (28 August), so it feels like the situation is finally returning to some strength.
Unless there is particular intent from the player himself to make a move to one of these sides then surely the Hammers want to keep their group together, otherwise they are risking the same problem they are just climbing out of.
Issa Diop has already gone so without Dawson wanting to follow, or money West Ham can’t refuse, it seems like one Moyes should ignore.