West Ham ‘cannot afford’ to sell defender Craig Dawson in the January transfer window, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
The Lowdown: Worrying exit links
The 32-year-old is now into the final year of his current Hammers deal, having been a solid servant for the club since arriving from Watford in 2021.
Dawson has been linked with a move away from West Ham, however, with fellow Premier League side Wolves seen as the major suitors.
It remains to be seen if the Englishman will depart in January as he seeks to be closer to his family in the Midlands, but Irons insiders Claret & Hugh reported last week that the club believe Dawson will turn down any new contract offers.
The Latest: Robinson reacts
Speaking to Football Insider, the Sky Sports pundit said that selling Dawson would be a big risk, in terms of David Moyes’ squad depth:
“Dawson is a fans favourite – he has done extremely well there. David Moyes will be very reluctant to lose him.
“If the player wants to move further north for personal reasons, you would think West Ham would do it in the right way. It will not be one they will do in January though, no chance. That is a deal to be done in the summer.
“They cannot afford to lose him in January, not with the injuries they have had in that position already this season.”
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The Verdict: Keep hold until the summer
Robinson is correct in his assessment, with Dawson still such a steady pair of hands and someone who is capable of thriving at both centre-back and even right-back in a pinch.
Michail Antonio has hailed the veteran as ‘unbelievable’ and it makes sense to allow him to leave on a free transfer next summer instead of losing him in January – it’s not as if a 32 year-old with six months on his deal would command a big transfer fee anyway.
It still isn’t out of the question for Dawson to sign a new contract at West Ham but he may just feel that one more fresh challenge in his career is needed before he hangs up his boots.