Speaking to the press, via football.london, West Ham United boss David Moyes has dropped a promising transfer hint that loanee Craig Dawson could soon become a permanent Irons player - with the Scotsman confirming that the club are 'very close' fulfilling the obligation to buy clause.

Dawson, who has been a revelation for the Hammers since signing on loan from Watford in the summer, could soon become a permanent Hammers man as the club near the amount of games needed to trigger a deal.

When asked how likely it is that the defender becomes a fully fledged Iron, Moyes responded by saying that there is indeed a 'good chance' - going on to say that the club are indeed approaching that outcome.

David Moyes drops enticing hint in West Ham transfer message

"There is a good chance although we are not quite there yet," explained the West Ham manager.

"But there is a clause in it after a certain amount of games and we are getting very close to that number.

"His performances, his attitude and determination are certainly worthy of that anyway.

"We brought him in, it took him a while until the Southampton game I think it was before he got a start but that was because of the form of Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna but he has come in and added goals to us as well and his experience has been really important and he is playing really well this season."

Transfer Tavern take

Given how much he has shone as a centre-back partner to both Ogbonna and, more recently, with Issa Diop - Dawson signing permanently at the London Stadium could come as another boost to the club as they chase European football for this season and beyond.

Time will tell exactly when he becomes a permanent West Ham man, but it almost appears inevitable judging by this Moyes message.

In other news: A West Ham source lifted the lid on this GSB plan, find out more here.