WEST HAM will need to come up with a bid of around £4million to sign Watford defender Craig Dawson in the “domestic” window.
The Hammers are turning their attention to the veteran, 30, having failed with a series of bids for more expensive defenders during the main transfer window.
Bids of around £30m were knocked back for Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen.
And on deadline day, an attempt to sign Fikayo Tomori on loan from Chelsea fell through.
Ex-West Brom defender Dawson has always been on the list of options for boss David Moyes.
And having been unable to bring in other younger players the Hornets defender is now the main priority.
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Moyes is desperate for cover at centre-half with only three senior players available in that position.
At present, only Angelo Ogbonna, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena are available for the Scot.
Watford paid £4m to West Brom for Dawson a year ago, and are looking to get their money back.
The Hornets are especially hopeful now knowing the Hammers have few other options open to them.
Swansea defender Joe Rodon has been watched but an asking price of £18m may be out of their reach, especially now Tottenham have also made their interest in the Wales star known.
Though the deadline for signing players from the EFL still has another ten days to run, Moyes would prefer to get a deal sorted as early as possible.
That would allow Dawson time to settle in before the Premier League returns.
