---
title: "Craig Dawson could be given time to decide future"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/09/28/west-ham-open-minded-over-craig-dawson-future-whufc-transfer-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Niall Keenan"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-09-28T13:05:00Z"
modified: "2022-09-28T13:05:00Z"
---

# Craig Dawson could be given time to decide future

**[Transfer insider](https://twitter.com/DeanJonesSoccer) Dean Jones has claimed that West Ham United are now willing to give Craig Dawson the time he needs to make a final decision on his future.**

The centre-back [wished to leave](https://mobile.twitter.com/skysports_sheth/status/1564952990305423361) the east London club in the summer due to personal reasons after it emerged that he was [commuting](https://mobile.twitter.com/WestHam_Central/status/1564306959368704001) from up north on a daily basis. However, with the Hammers unable to secure a replacement, his proposed move to Wolves in the Midlands [collapsed](https://twitter.com/alex_crook/status/1565350568817983494).

Dawson had been struggling with a persistent [thigh injury](https://thisisfutbol.com/2022/08/blogs/premier-league/west-ham-united-news-exwhuemployee-whufc-injury-update-craig-dawson/) throughout the summer but made his [first start](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdaten/spieler/121477) of the campaign in the 3-2 win against Silkeborg this month and was in the [matchday squad](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdaten/spieler/121477/plus/0?saison=2022) in the Premier League for the first time this season for the subsequent defeat at Everton.

On [The West Ham Way Patreon page](https://www.patreon.com/posts/twhw-podcast-2-s-71871186?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_fan), ExWHUemployee noted that officials at the London Stadium are hoping that the [£52k-per-week](https://salarysport.com/football/player/craig-dawson/) defender will sign a new one-year contract extension, with his [current deal](https://salarysport.com/football/player/craig-dawson/) expiring at the end of the campaign.

**Dawson to be given time to decide his future**

However, Jones has now claimed that the Irons are prepared to give the 32-year-old time to choose what he wants to do next.

He told [GIVEMESPORT](https://www.givemesport.com/88064423-west-ham-now-open-minded-over-unbelievable-51-goal-star-at-london-stadium): “To be honest, he deserves the respect to take time over this decision and what he wants to do next. From everything I’ve heard, West Ham are very open-minded about that.”

**He could leave with head held high**

Lauded as ‘[incredible](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-craig-dawson-lyon-europa-league-2022-b994574.html)’ by former West Ham captain Mark Noble following their Europa League win over Lyon in April, Dawson became a cult hero during the club’s memorable European run in 2021/22. Indeed, pictures [emerged](https://twitter.com/louisbaker1991/status/1514522184471003136) of a banner reading “Ballon d’Orson” in the build-up to that game, with the former [England under-21](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/nationalmannschaft/spieler/121477) international going on to score in the famous 3-0 win in France.

He led from the [back](https://www.sofascore.com/west-ham-united-olympique-lyonnais/MsZH) that night with six blocks and four clearances, posting a man-of-the-match [8.5](https://www.sofascore.com/west-ham-united-olympique-lyonnais/MsZH) rating (via SofaScore), a performance which was indicative of his season as a whole.

Across the campaign, he ranked first for blocks (1.5) and second for clearances (4.1) made per 90 among West Ham players in the Premier League according to [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/29/Archive/England-West-Ham).

However, following the summer arrivals of Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd, the former West Brom defender could well be destined for a move back up the country. If he goes, he will leave the London Stadium with his held head high, considering his service to the club.