Wolves defender Craig Dawson was linked with a surprise return to West Ham in the winter window and now there’s been a huge development.
When it comes to great value signings they don’t get much better than £1.5m Craig Dawson in the modern history of West Ham.
Wolverhampton Wanderers could say the same thing after picking Dawson up from a very reluctant West Ham for just £3.5m two years ago.
Most Hammers fans questioned the signing of Dawson on loan from Championship Watford.
He started out as West Ham’s fifth choice centre-back when he arrived.
But when injuries saw him get his chance a couple of months into his Hammers career, it was the birth of a cult hero.
Dawson has carved out a similar reputation among Wolverhampton Wanderers fans.
When ‘Ballon Dawson’ left the London Stadium for Molineux it left a big hole West Ham have spent tens of millions trying to fill.
Some would argue Dawson is yet to be sufficiently replaced in terms of his leadership and consistent performances in helping the Hammers be hard to beat.
West Ham didn’t do too badly following his departure to Wolves, which came as he sought to be closer to his family up north.
Major Dawson twist at Wolves after West Ham whispers
The Hammers went on to lift their first trophy for 43 years but Dawson very much played his part in the club’s journey.
So much so West Ham actually sent Dawson a medal for his part in that achievement.
West Ham only have three senior centre-backs now.
One of them, Jean-Clair Todibo, has been out for over a month.
Another, Konstantinos Mavropanos, has been error-prone and was left out in favour of playing a full-back at centre-back in the defeat to Chelsea.
West Ham paid £40m to Wolves for Max Kilman, who has – one the whole – been excellent in his own performances since arriving.
But there’s no doubt Kilman performs better alongside a more dominant central defensive partner.
There were whispers West Ham wanted to try and bring Dawson back in the winter window after he was told he could find another club.
That did not happen.
Now there’s been a major Dawson twist at Wolves but West Ham face huge problem bringing him back.
The Athletic has confirmed Wolves are in talks with Dawson about terminating his contract imminently.
West Ham face huge problem bringing Dawson back
It comes after head coach Vitor Pereira told the former Hammer he does not figure in his plans.
Pereira stated in a press conference on Friday that he will be unable to find room for the 34-year-old in future matchday squads after Wolves signed Burkina Faso international Nasser Djiga and fellow centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou.
The move leaves Dawson sixth-choice centre-back.
That news has sparked speculation and nostalgic excitement among some Hammers fans that Dawson could return on a free transfer as cover for the rest of the season.
But there is one big problem which means that simply cannot happen.
Why Dawson cannot re-sign for West Ham as a free agent
Because the situation leaves Dawson facing very limited options.
The Athletic has confirmed Dawson was indeed registered with Wolves when the window closed on Monday.
As a result it is claimed he would now be unable to sign for West Ham – or any other English club – until the summer window opens.
That’s even if Wolves pay his contract up.
The only options for Dawson now would be to sign for a club in a country where the window is still open, such as Turkey or the United States.
Alternatively, he could have his contract paid up and train with a prospective new employer for the rest of the season ahead of a summer move.
Or, at 34, he may decide to take his pay-up and call time on his career.
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