Pundit Danny Mills has tipped West Ham to complete a deal with Championship side Watford to convert their loan deal for Craig Dawson into a permanent one before the opening of the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Football Insider, the former Leeds and England footballer cited the experience Dawson brings to the dressing room as a key x-factor to his role with the Hammers, though West Ham could add other defenders.
Especially given the ‘bargain’ price tag that Dawson is reportedly available for, a deal materialising to keep Dawson at the London Stadium looks increasingly likely.
Football Insider revealed earlier last week that Dawson is available for just £3 million and West Ham will look to sign him before the summer window opens.
Dawson had to wait until the end of December to make his Premier League debut for the club but has since forced his way into the side as a mainstay of David Moyes’ thinking.
When quizzed over the prospects of Dawson extending his stay, Dawson said:
“He’s done very, very well for them up until now,” Mills told Football Insider.
“It’s a bargain, isn’t it? Let’s be honest, if you’re paying a loan fee, it will be more than that for a centre-half.
“I know it sounds ridiculous when people are struggling in the world but in footballing terms, it’s a drop in the ocean.
“Even if they bring in other players why wouldn’t you keep him as a backup, to keep doing what he’s doing.
“David Moyes would have an honest conversation with him and say ‘You’re maybe not going to play every single week, but I still want you around.’ He seems like the sort of character that could accept that.”
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Given the low price tag in relation to his value contrasting with an ever-rising importance in Moyes’ thinking, Dawson joining permanently feels more a matter of ‘when’ than ‘if’.
In a no-brainer move ahead of the summer, expected to see the experienced centre-half donning claret and blue next season.
