Hammers in market for major replacement

By Dave Langton

West Ham will be in the market for a replacement to veteran centre-back Craig Dawson this summer.

The Hammers star has been exceptional since his move from Watford, emerging as a key player under the management of David Moyes.

He remains central to the way the Irons play at times and has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season.

However, Dawson  will be turning 32 in May, with the Irons acutely aware that he is approaching a point where they will need to secure a long-term replacement.

Moyes was in the market for a new defender in January but did not manage to sign one, despite injuries to Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma, and it is likely he will want two new centre-backs this summer.

Daws is showing no sign of slowing down and remains an exceptional option at centre-back but there is a desire to lower the average age of the squad, and bringing in a young player who offers similar attributes and the ability to replace him down the road looks a smart option.

It will be a key indicator of how Moyes wants to reshape his squad in the summer given Angelo Ogbonna is in now very much in the autumn of his Hammers career..