Premier League new boys are rebuffed by Baggies.
West Bromwich Albion have turned down an offer from newly-promoted Burnley for their defender Craig Dawson, thought to be worth £1 million according to The Birmingham Mail.
The 24-year-old has impressed for England Under-21s in the past and also appeared for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, however, he has never held down a regular place in the Baggies’ first team.
Dawson made more Premier League appearances for West Brom last season than he has managed since his arrival in 2011, although this was still only 12 and he spent some of 2013 on loan at Bolton in the Championship.
The Baggies are unwilling to let him depart the Hawthorns, though, especially as they are still without a manager in place. Pepe Mel left the club in May and his successor is yet to be appointed. Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood is the bookmakers’ favourite to take charge of the Baggies, although nothing has been confirmed.
West Brom have also lost defenders Billy Jones and Diego Lugano already this summer, leaving their options at the back fairly limited. Jones has moved to Premier League rivals Sunderland whilst Uruguay international Lugano has departed on a free transfer.
Depending on the identity of the new manager at the Hawthorns and the extent of the club’s summer recruitment, Dawson could become a key player for West Brom next season. Certainly the club believe he is important enough to turn down a seven-figure sum from Premier League rivals Burnley.
Find out the top 10 biggest match-fixing scandals in sport history.