---
title: "West Ham United: Fans react as Craig Dawson becomes priority transfer target"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-fans-react-as-craig-dawson-becomes-priority-transfer-target/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2020-10-07T15:10:24Z"
modified: "2020-10-07T15:10:24Z"
---

# West Ham United: Fans react as Craig Dawson becomes priority transfer target

**The transfer window came to a close on Monday in terms of Premier League sides signing players from abroad and from within the division. However top-flight sides in England are able to negotiate with EFL sides until [October 16th](https://talksport.com/football/665959/when-is-transfer-deadline-day-premier-league-transfer-news-manchester-united-chelsea-liverpool-arsenal/#:~:text=The%20window%20will%20shuts%20on,permanently%20up%20until%20October%2016.).  West Ham United are making use of this window, with reports suggesting that they are keen to sign Craig Dawson.**

According to [Duncan Wright](https://twitter.com/dwright75), as tweeted out by [@whufc\_news](https://twitter.com/whufc_news/status/1313473050969624583), ‘West Ham will need to come up with a bid of around £4million to sign Watford defender Craig Dawson in the “domestic” window. He is now their main priority.’

The 30 year-old centre-back would come with an abundance of experience. The Englishman has played 372 times in his career, and picked up 42 goals along the way, per [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/121477)

Last season, Dawson managed, on average, one tackle, 1.2 interceptions and 3.8 clearances in each game he played for Watford in the Premier League, as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/PlayerComparison). His performances did not prevent Watford from being relegated, but it shows he is very good at stopping opposition attacks.

However, a lot of West Ham fans are not happy about this deal and this is understandable as he was clearly not the number one target. The Irons failed to sign both [James Tarkowski](https://talksport.com/football/760981/james-tarkowski-west-ham-third-final-bid-burnley-rejected/) and [Wesley Fofana](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12081923/wesley-fofana-west-ham-look-for-alternative-targets-after-saint-etienne-reject-33m-bid), therefore signing Dawson seems like an emergency option.

Here is what fans said following the news:

> West Ham will need to come up with a bid of around £4million to sign Watford defender Craig Dawson in the "domestic" window. He is now their main priority.
>
> \[Source: [@dwright75](https://twitter.com/dwright75?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)\] [pic.twitter.com/yGPIoteLbH](https://t.co/yGPIoteLbH)
>
> — West Ham News (@WHUFC\_News) [October 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/WHUFC_News/status/1313473050969624583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> This lad is going to get the Hugill treatment whether he likes it or not. A hiding to nothing and absolutely nothing he could have done about it. What a club.
>
> — Jon Lawrence (@joncantdance) [October 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/joncantdance/status/1313475365071925248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I’d prefer if they just took someone from our academy or PL2 side, why waste time and money on him
>
> — Sam Stone (@sstone2211) [October 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/sstone2211/status/1313476953874272257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He’s so slow depending on his experience to get him through games not good enough for the premiership now.
>
> — airbag (@airbag93986541) [October 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/airbag93986541/status/1313526058147360768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> 5th choice CB!
>
> Ogbonna\
> Diop\
> Balbuena\
> Cresswell
>
> Save the £4m and bring Alese in as 5th choice much prefer that, wasting money!
>
> Use it to put toward Josh King and another midfielder or 2!
>
> — Ricky Forrest (@rickwhufc) [October 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/rickwhufc/status/1313538434678620160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> West Ham will spend £4m on bringing Craig Dawson to the club knowing that he will be fourth choice CB and play in one or two cup games, at most, per season – Dawson is Championship standard; never close to challenging Ogbonna or Diop. Ridiculous signing.
>
> — Josh Verrills (@WestHamJoshV) [October 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/WestHamJoshV/status/1313574499523219457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> We have better players in our academy
>
> — Steve (@49whufc\_smh) [October 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/49whufc_smh/status/1313479505437167616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Hammers fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Comment below!***