 |
| Craig Dawson of West Ham United controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final Leg One match between West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt at Olympic Stadium on April 28, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. |
Aston Villa are
reportedly being rivalled by Leicester City in a move for West Ham defender
Craig Dawson.
The centre-back played
50 times for the Hammers last season as they reached the semi-finals of the
Europa League. His impressive performances for David Moyes’ side has seen the
32-year-old become a cult figure at the London Stadium.
Villa have
been looking for a new centre-half since Diego Carlos ruptured his Achilles'
against Everton. Last week it was claimed that the club were “trying to
tie up” a deal for the West Ham man but now look set to face
competition for his signature.
Football journalist
Alan Nixon has reported that
Leicester are “ready to rival” Villa for the former West Brom and Watford
defender. Brendan Rodgers’ side are said to view Dawson as a “potential
replacement” for Wesley Fofana, who is expected to complete a move to Chelsea.
The report states that
West Ham “turned down” Villa’s approach to sign Dawson. Discussing the
possibility of the defender leaving the club, Moyes described the player’s
situation as “complicated” in his Tuesday press conference.
Wolves have also been
“credited with an interest” following Villa’s attempts to sign Dawson. As a
result, West Ham are claimed to have been “alerted” to one possible target that
would arrive on loan, if the experienced defender does leave the club before
the transfer deadline.
In a further update
from The Sun ,
the Hammers are said to have “held talks” with Jan Bednarek, who has also been
linked with a move to Villa Park. The Poland international has slipped down the
pecking order that Southampton and the club are “happy” for him to leave on
loan with an option to buy, due to his contract expiring in 2025.
Last week, The Athletic
reported that Villa’s negotiations over a move for Bednarek had reached an “advanced
stage” . Manager Steven Gerrard currency has Tyrone Mings,
Calum Chambers and Ezri Konsa at his disposal and is keen to add to his
centre-back options.
