Cameron Dawson claims he has yet to be offered a new deal despite reports he’s a target for a number of clubs, including Steven Gerrard’s Rangers.
Dawson is approaching the final six months of his Sheffield Wednesday contract, which according to The Star has alerted Rangers, Preston, Derby and Blackburn.
The 25-year-old recently regained his place in the Wednesday goal after Keiren Westwood suffered a minor shoulder injury. And many Owls fans have called for him to made permanent first-choice.
Speaking at a press conference earlier, the Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk described Dawson as ‘the future the club’.
But off-field issues mean that keeping the boyhood Wednesdayite at Hillsborough may be easier said than done.
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And the current state of affairs is only likely to encourage potential suitors such as Rangers, Preston, Derby and Blackburn.
“I’ve had a lot of talks with the manager, some really open, positive talks,” explained Dawson via BBC Radio Sheffield. “But in terms of contract talks, that’s not started yet but that’s something I’m quite easy about to be honest.
“Yeah, absolutely, of course (he’s open to signing a new deal). I’m at a great football club here. Of course, I’m always open to contract talks. It hasn’t started yet but, if and when, that would be great.”
Asked about Dawson’s contract, Monk replied via Sheffield Wednesday’s official Facebook page: “Yeah, I’ve obviously spoken with the club. And yeah, obviously, he’s a player with the age he is and where he’s at for the club, we see him here.
Monk watches on at Hillsborough. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
“I think he’s been fantastic. Keiren has been a mainstay at this club and still has a hugely important role to play. But you’ve also got to think of the future as well, and the long-term future is with Cameron, and we’ve got Joey (Joe Wildsmith) coming back now to fitness, so two really good young goalkeepers. They’re the future of the club.
“You want to keep those players here and I’ve made it clear to them, they’re going to be a big part of what I want to do here.
“Cameron’s been fantastic. He needs to concentrate on his football and that side of it will surely be taken care of. When we get to sit altogether with the chairman and everyone else involved in that process, we’ll sit and go through all of those things.
“But yeah, his job is to focus on the football, which he is. I’ve spoken to him about these things and his future will be sorted out.”
McGregor applauds the Rangers fans. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
The Rangers manager Gerrard could lose all three of his senior goalies at the end of their deals next summer, although he already expressed a desire to keep the Gers’ current first-choice Allan McGregor beyond the end of his.
But with McGregor due to turn 38 in January, there is perhaps scope for a new, younger, addition to succeed him as number one in the not-too-distant future.
