West Ham 'open to keeping' £52k-a-week star at London Stadium

West Ham are open to keeping defender Craig Dawson, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Hammers were willing to let him go during the summer window before their failed move for Jan Bednarek, but it does not appear that he is surplus to requirements at the London Stadium.

As per the Evening Standard, Dawson had hoped to join Wolves in order to move closer to his young family in Cheshire and a transfer was in the works.

However, it was dependent on West Ham being able to bring in another centre-back, with Bednarek being the target.

They were beaten to his signature by Aston Villa, though, and it was too late in the window for them to sign an alternative.

As a result, Dawson had to remain at the London Stadium to ensure that David Moyes has enough options in central defence.

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Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that West Ham are happy for Dawson to remain with them but are willing to let him consider his options again in January.

Speaking to GMS, the journalist said: “This is a situation to be a bit careful about and they’ve got to manage Dawson respectfully. They’re definitely open to keeping him at the club, but they’re also willing to let him weigh up his own options when we get to the new year.”

It is more than possible. While he is not completely surplus to requirements at West Ham, he is not a key player either.

Dawson was left on the bench in the Hammers’ 1-0 defeat to Everton just before the international break, with Moyes preferring a centre-half partnership of Kurt Zouma and Thilo Kehrer.

Nevertheless, for now, the £52,000-a-week star still has plenty to offer to this West Ham side when called upon.

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