According to reports in The Mirror, Celtic are one of the clubs considering making a move for want-away West Bromwich Albion defender Craig Dawson this summer.

What's the word, then?

Craig Dawson speaks to Ben Foster

Well, The Mirror report that the versatile 28-year-old, who can play as a centre-back or a right-back, has been training away from Baggies' first team having submitted a transfer request at the start of July.

Darren Moore said on Saturday that he was hoping to welcome the defender back into the frame after saying he missed the friendly match against Barnsley on Saturday with a thigh strain, but The Mirror says that he has actually been excluded because of his desire to leave the Hawthorns.

The report adds that both the Bhoys and 2016 Premier League winners Leicester City have considered making a move for Dawson, who has two years remaining on his contract and is understood to be available for £20m, according to Sky Sports.

Can Celtic get him?

Well, it seems clear that the Scottish Premiership champions need to strengthen their central defensive options if they are to win their eighth successive league title and compete in the Champions League, and Dawson would prove to be an inspired addition, although Brendan Rodgers will want to pay a lot less than £20m for his services.

The 6ft 2in star is a proper defender who is good in the air and isn't afraid to put his body on the line for his team, while the fact that he has 12 goals in 180 West Brom appearances prove that he can be a real threat in the opposition penalty area, too.

The Bhoys, who should forget about John McGinn and sign an unwanted Premier League midfielder instead, have struggled to find anyone as effective as Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence since he left for Southampton in 2015, but having kept Jonny Evans out of the Baggies' backline at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, it is clear that Dawson would be their best since the Dutchman went.

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