---
title: "West Ham: Craig Dawson wanted by Premier League rivals"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-craig-dawson-attila-szalai-transfer-gossip-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-08-29T17:35:51Z"
modified: "2022-08-29T17:35:51Z"
---

# West Ham: Craig Dawson wanted by Premier League rivals

**[West Ham United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) defender Craig Dawson is a target for [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) rivals Aston Villa, according to a report from the [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11155377/Aston-Villa-eye-Craig-Dawson-fix-defensive-crisis-West-Hams-David-Moyes-wants-stay.html).**

### The lowdown: Mr Reliable

Signed from Watford for [£2m](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwii5tHx8uv5AhVOeMAKHY5JC9YQFnoECDMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Farticle-9441497%2FWest-Ham-seal-2m-Craig-Dawson-permanent-transfer-Watford.html&usg=AOvVaw3fmDEfLEjupwfX7MZYl2sp) in July 2021 following a successful loan spell with the Irons, Dawson has become a key figure in the heart of David Moyes’ defence during his time in east London.

The 32-year-old has already amassed [74 outings](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/121477/verein/379) for the Hammers, taking his overall career tally to a staggering [440](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/121477) senior appearances across spells at West Brom, Rochdale, Bolton and the Hornets.

However, following the signings of [Nayef Aguerd](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12637204/nayef-aguerd-west-ham-complete-30m-signing-of-moroccan-defender-from-rennes) and [Thilo Kehrer](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12675151/west-ham-sign-defender-thilo-kehrer-from-paris-saint-germain-for-10-1m-plus-add-ons) this summer, an [injury-hit](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/news/david-moyes-west-ham-injury-24862885) Dawson has had to start the campaign on the periphery of matters and could be targeted by Premier League rivals as a result…

### The latest: Dawson wanted

As per the [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11155377/Aston-Villa-eye-Craig-Dawson-fix-defensive-crisis-West-Hams-David-Moyes-wants-stay.html), Villa are believed to be ‘keen on recruiting’ the 32-year-old before the transfer deadline passes on Thursday night.

It’s claimed that the Midlands outfit have ‘made a move’ for the man who was praised by Gary Neville for a [‘brilliant’](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-gary-neville-lauds-craig-dawsons-latest-display/) performance against Chelsea in April as Steven Gerrard attempts to bolster his own defensive department after a poor start to the new season.

The report states that Moyes ‘wants Dawson to stay’ at West Ham, but the veteran defender is seemingly ‘unhappy’ with a lack of opportunities in east London.

[West Ham latest updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates-2/)

### The verdict: No chance

As the Irons deal with their own [defensive crisis](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-ben-johnson-reaction/), allowing a player of Dawson’s proven ability to leave the club so close to the end of the transfer window is not a viable option for Moyes and GSB.

Instead, West Ham could be looking to bolster their own options at the back, having been linked with a move for [Attila Szalai](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-attila-szalai-hans-vanaken-transfer-gossip-news-updates/) over the weekend.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375613″\]

Last season, the experienced Englishman [scored four times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdaten/spieler/121477/plus/0?saison=2021) and provided [two assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdaten/spieler/121477/plus/0?saison=2021) whilst amassing a mammoth 50 appearances across all competitions, earning a 6.94 [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/craig-dawson/50027) rating whilst winning 4.1 duels, making 4.1 clearances and helping to keep five clean sheets in the league.

Valued at £2.7m and into the final 12 months of his contract at the London Stadium ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/marktwertverlauf/spieler/121477)), the West Ham hierarchy could be looking to tie Dawson down to a new deal in the near future to avoid losing the defender for nothing down the line, rather than allowing him to join Villa now.