Transfer insider ExWHUemployee has claimed that Aston Villa will not try and sign Craig Dawson this January despite past transfer interest.

What’s the word?

During the summer, the Villans were heavily linked with a move for the West Ham United centre-back with the rumours running right up until deadline day.

However, no deal ever came to pass as Dawson remained where he was despite interest from Premier League and Midlands rivals Wolves too.

However, the 32-year-old, who has been hailed as "brilliant", could still be keen on a move this winter as he supposedly wants to leave London to be 'closer to his family in Cheshire'.

Despite that, Ex has claimed that new Villa manager Unai Emery will not be soon keen on rekindling the club's past transfer interest.

When talking on The West Ham Way podcast, the insider said: "The clubs that are interested in Dawson were Villa and Wolves. Both have got new managers since they were interested.

“Would Emery at Villa want Dawson? I can't see that match, to be fair.”

New boss, new plan

Of course, Steven Gerrard was in charge when Dawson was linked with Villa but the English manager has since been sacked with Emery now taking over.

And the Spaniard has helped his new side pick up three wins from four league games so far. Dawson, on the other hand, has lost all five of the past five games he has started for West Ham in the same competition.

It remains to be seen if Villa could chase a centre-back this summer but there certainly might be more glamorous options than the 32-year-old.

For instance, Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire has popped up as a possible target in recent times. Perhaps he would be better suited to Emery's style of play than Dawson.