Wolves are reportedly interested in signing West Ham centre-back Craig Dawson before the transfer window shuts and the experienced defender could be the ideal heir to Conor Coady in Bruno Lage's side.

Recent reports have suggested that both Wolves and Aston Villa are interested in signing the 32-year-old, who could be set to lose his place in David Moyes' side after West Ham's additions of Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer.

The Englishman would add vast experience to Wolves' backline, something which Lage is arguably missing after Coady's move to Everton earlier in the window, while Willy Boly is also expected to join Nottingham Forest.

This leaves Max Kilman and Nathan Collins as the primary options at Molineux and considering both are under 26 and don't have much top-flight experience, adding someone such as Dawson could be a huge benefit both on and off the pitch.

Dawson has made 238 Premier League appearances in his career during spells with West Brom, Watford and the Hammers, in which he has contributed 19 goals and five assists.

He also played a big part in West Ham's success both domestically and in Europe last season, as he was named in the Europa League team of the season after some sensational performances, while in the Premier League he averaged a sold 6.70 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was higher than both Coady and Boly.

Former Hammers captain Mark Noble was full of praise for Dawson after he scored in a win against Lyon last season.

He said: "Big Daws, who has been so reliable for us and been fantastic. He was incredible in the first leg and even better tonight so that is a big statement for him."

That sort of praise could quite easily describe the ever-solid Coady, who was such a reliable figure over a long period of time for the Old Gold.

Joe Cole also eulogised over the centre-back after his display while working as a pundit for BT Sport.

He said: “As a 31-year-old, you can see the determination in him to be a footballer. That is all you want as a manager, a player with professionalism, you know he is giving everything blood, sweat and tears for the team. You have got to love him. Ballon D’awson!”

Again, that could well describe Wolves' former skipper, who has been hailed for his remarkable professionalism by Jamie Carragher in the past, who once said: "He’s the type of player you would always want to try and find a place for, because of his personality and professionalism."

Therefore, considering his performances last season, attitude and experience, it seems like a no-brainer for Lage to sign Dawson this summer, especially with the leadership gap in the squad following the departure of former captain Coady. It could just be an incredible addition as the window comes to a conclusion.