OPINION
West Brom did well in the summer to ensure that they kept the bulk of their squad together, especially after a number of reported bids going in for key players.
One player who was the subject of huge speculation in the summer was Craig Dawson with Sky Sports reporting that the centre-back handed in a transfer request in order to force a move away from The Hawthorns.
It was understood that West Ham and Burnley both had bids for the defender rejected, with Sky Sports claiming later in the transfer window that Albion wanted over £20million for him.
Since the summer madness ended, West Brom have hired Luke Dowling as their new technical director and he has already shown what the club’s philosophy is going to be when it comes to moving players on.
“If a bid comes in and it’s right, sell,” said Dowling, as quoted by the Express & Star. “Don’t be scared to do that and have confidence as a club that you can replace that person.”
So what does that say about Dawson?
The former Rochdale player has been untouchable in Darren Moore’s starting line-up since returning to full fitness as he has played in all of the club’s last eight Championship games.
The 28-year-old is clearly highly-rated by the club to want over £20million for him, but his performances this season have not justified that at all and going by what Dowling has said, the best idea may be to take that money and run – if clubs are willing to pay that is.
West Brom could surely sign one or two players who could add more quality to the squad than Dawson has done.
Ahmed Hegazi and Kyle Bartley have hardly been better than Dawson in Albion’s back-three this season, but neither of them will come close to costing what the former England Under-21 international would.
Dowling’s comments are a sign that the Baggies may have to cash in on certain players in the future and Dawson should be one who is potentially offloaded.