Walsall manager Jon Whitney has revealed that his club are locked in transfer talks with West Ham over the potential loan signing of midfielder George Dobson.
Speaking to the Express & Star, Whitney claimed negotiations are ongoing and stated his desire to bring the Hammers’ academy prospect back to the Bescot Stadium for a second successive season.
“I am still speaking to West Ham about George,” Whitney said. “I am still negotiating on that. But George is a player I like and I’m keen for him to come back.
“At this precise moment I’m really prioritising a couple of other positions. But George is still in the mix and I am still in contact with him.”
Dobson, 19, spent the entire 2016-17 season on loan with the Midlands club, who currently ply their trade in League One.
The defensive midfielder made a total of 26 league and cup appearances for the Saddlers as Whitney’s side finished in 14th place in England’s third tier.
Walsall’s number six even scored the first senior goal of his career for Walsall in a League One clash against Fleetwood Town, but failed to help his side prevent a 2-1 loss in October.
Dobson, who can also play at centre-back, moved to West Ham back in the summer of 2015 from London rivals Arsenal, where he also failed to make a single senior appearance.
With competition aplenty at the London Stadium in the likes of captain Mark Noble, Cheikhou Kouyate, Edimilson Fernandes and Pedro Obiang, Dobson is likely to be allowed to leave on loan this summer.