---
title: "West Ham could sign Craig Dawson permanently this month"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/27/west-ham-could-sign-craig-dawson-permanently-this-month/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-01-27T06:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-27T06:00:00Z"
---

# West Ham could sign Craig Dawson permanently this month

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/26/west-ham-make-undisclosed-transfer-offer-edin-dzeko/) face a transfer dilemma as they attempt to sign [Jesse Lingard](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/26/west-ham-pole-position-jesse-lingard-loan-move-transfer-latest/) on loan from Manchester United.

As David Moyes tries to add further depth to his squad by [bringing Lingard to the London Stadium](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55810784) until the end of the season, the Hammers face a registration issue as the club already has the [maximum permitted two domestic loan players](https://www.whufc.com/teams/first-team/squad) on its books.

[Craig Dawson](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/23/craig-dawson-career-quiz-west-ham-fa-cup/) and Said Benrahma, on [loan from Watford](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12102754/craig-dawson-west-ham-sign-watford-defender-on-season-long-loan) and [Brentford](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/october/16-october/west-ham-united-seal-said-benrahma-loan-deal) respectively have both proven to be a hit in east London.

Journalist [Alex Crook](https://twitter.com/alex_crook) told [talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1611655200/1611662400/) (Tuesday, 12:20pm) that the ‘most likely outcome’ is the Irons making Dawson’s move a permanent one this month, saying: “West Ham are very much in the box seat, looking at a six-month loan. The most likely outcome is they sign Dawson permanently to free up a spot.”

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Dawson was [hardly used](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdaten/spieler/121477) in the opening weeks of the season and there was [talk that the Irons may cut short](https://www.footballinsider247.com/phillips-exclusive-west-ham-tipped-to-terminate-loan-within-weeks-amid-strange-claim/) the defender’s loan spell, having seemingly been [clutching at straws](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12073840/james-tarkowski-west-ham-have-third-bid-rejected-for-burnley-defender) to sign him at the back end of the summer window.

Only a few weeks ago, given the choice between the two loanees, it would have seemed a no-brainer to sign Benrahma on a permanent basis.

However, [three wins](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) and four clean sheets in the last five matches later, tying down Dawson permanently looks to be the wiser decision, especially given the [significant difference in fees](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/october/16-october/west-ham-united-seal-said-benrahma-loan-deal) involved.