A West Ham insider claims David Moyes has given a double January transfer his blessing as duo are named.
Despite spending an unprecedented £170m signing eight players in the summer, it looks like West Ham could be busy again in the winter window.
West Ham were trying to sign a centre-back and a right-back on deadline day in the summer window.
Had a central defender arrived, it would have facilitated the departure of wantaway fan favourite Craig Dawson.
supporters were saddened when it emerged the 32-year-old asked to be allowed leave the east Londoners for family reasons as he sought a move further north in the summer.
The likes of Wolves, Aston Villa and a number of other clubs have been linked with a move for the dependable man mountain, who is said to have been commuting down to West Ham from Manchester.
“Ideally, we wouldn’t (lose Dawson) but it’s probably a much more complicated situation that he has,” Moyes said before the summer window closed (Football.London).
In the end Dawson remained and West Ham have needed him but he has been sidelined through injury again in recent weeks.
The deadline day right-back links to the likes of Ola Aina emerged as speculation intensified that young academy graduate Harrison Ashby could leave West Ham for Newcastle (The Daily Mail).
Like Dawson, though, Ashby remained at the club and posted a message on social which appeared to indicate he was happy to do so.
But now a West Ham insider claims David Moyes has given their double January transfer his blessing as the duo are named.
According to an insider speaking to 6foot2, Dawson and Ashby have made it clear they have no interest in signing proposed new contracts at West Ham and will therefore be allowed to leave in January – providing the club do not suffer any significant injuries.
“David Moyes is unlikely to stand in the way of two defenders departing in January next year as long the squad doesn’t suffer any more injuries in their respective defensive positions…” 6foot2’s Sean Whetstone reports.
“Dawson reluctantly agreed to stay until the end of the year after Moyes failed to find cover on transfer deadline day but he has no interest in signing an extension to his contract and would prefer to move in January for family reasons…
“6foot2 understands that he is unwilling to sign a new contract and West Ham (are) likely to cut their losses this January by selling him for a modest fee.”
With Ben Johnson and Vladimir Coufal far from convincing over the last year, that could mean Moyes tries again for a right-back in the January window.
Although summer signing Thilo Kehrer may find that he is used there long-term with Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd almost certain to be West Ham’s first choice defensive pairing in a four.
The report follows a claim last week that Dawson’s personal situation – which continues to see him travelling back and forth to Manchester – has not only exacerbated his injury but also made it increasingly clear his future will be elsewhere.
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