Speaking to FootballFanCast, former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie expects defender Craig Dawson to be the 'biggest signing' that he believes 'will happen' for the Hammers this year - coming after manager David Moyes hinted there is a 'good chance' his loan is made permanent.

Dawson has excelled in recent months under Moyes, keeping the likes of Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop out of the starting eleven, with the Englishman continuing to be a mainstay after Angelo Ogbonna's ankle injury.

This has prompted calls for the club to properly snap up the loanee from Watford, and the Irons boss spoke candidly over the situation earlier this month.

McAvennie expects 'biggest signing' for West Ham

Moyes hinted that West Ham are 'very close' to the amount of games needed to trigger a permanent deal clause whilst hinting there is a 'good chance' he becomes an official Hammer (football.london).

McAvennie, speaking to FootballFanCast, expects Dawson to be the 'biggest signing' he believes 'will happen' this year - urging GSB to get a deal done.

"The biggest thing for me with West Ham is the defence, it’s solid," explained the 61-year-old.

“The biggest signing they will make is Dawson. They have got to get that boy’s name on the paper, he’s been outstanding.

“For £3million for a centre-half like that, he complements the other defenders because the other defenders want to play football and look good, and he just puts his body on the line, gets in front and it’s good balance for the team. That’s the biggest signing that I think will happen this year.”

Transfer Tavern take

Time will tell when he becomes a permanent West Ham man after Moyes' admission to the press that it is 'close', but McAvennie believes it is a necessity and the biggest acquisition GSB will make.

Given how has impressed since coming into the side, it's hard to argue with the pundit's assessment.

In other news: Pundit questions West Ham target's attitude, find out more here.