West Ham: Moyes now 'wants to keep' £52k-a-week star at London Stadium | OneFootball

West Ham United are facing a ‘tricky’ situation over Craig Dawson as they want to keep him on board despite his wish to leave the London Stadium, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Hammers have endured an underwhelming start to the season and went into the international break sitting in the Premier League’s relegation zone.

What’s the latest news involving Dawson?

Dawson marked his first start of the season by grabbing a goal as West Ham overcame Danish side Silkeborg in a Europa Conference League group stage clash last week.

However, he was helpless when the Hammers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Everton at the weekend as he was an unused substitute.

Dawson appeared to be on his way out of the London Stadium as the transfer deadline neared earlier this month, but West Ham pulled the plug on a switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers after failing to sign Jan Bednarek as a replacement.

Instead of heading to the capital club, the Polish centre-half joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Southampton.

ExWHUemployee has revealed that the 32-year-old may be allowed to leave in January, when the winter window opens for business, for family reasons and he was frustrated to see his move to Molineux blocked.

What has Dean Jones said about Dawson?

Jones believes West Ham are in a difficult situation and could sanction Dawson’s departure at the season’s midway point.

Although the journalist understands Hammers boss David Moyes is keen to retain the former England under-21 international’s services, he feels there is a distinct possibility that the club will respect his wishes to seal an exit.

When asked whether the east Londoners could allow the central defender to move onto pastures new in January, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s a tricky one but they might, yes.

“I think West Ham would like him to stay, ideally, but they are going to be pretty respectful to whatever Dawson wants at this stage.”

How are West Ham trying to convince Dawson to stay?

It is understood that West Ham are looking to persuade Dawson to put pen-to-paper and agree to a one-year contract extension.

The former West Bromwich Albion man’s current deal, which is worth £52,000-per-week, is due to expire next summer.

Having initially joined the Hammers on loan from Watford in October 2020, Dawson made the switch permanent a matter of months later.

The centre-half has become a cult hero with his current employers, where he has made 76 appearances and shown he is a threat in the opposition’s penalty area by chipping in with nine goals.