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BAGG SNATCHER

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson ready to raid old club West Brom for Craig Dawson and Jay Rodriguez

Eagles would need to pay £30m for the duo as neither Baggies star has cut-price relegation escape clause

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ROY HODGSON is ready to raid his former club West Brom – with Craig Dawson and Jay Rodriguez at the top of his summer shopping list.

However the Crystal Palace boss will need to cough up £30million to complete the double-deal as neither player has a cut-price relegation get-out clause in their Baggies’ contract.

 Former Southampton frontman Jay Rodriguez, who has one England cap, is wanted by Crystal Palace
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Former Southampton frontman Jay Rodriguez, who has one England cap, is wanted by Crystal PalaceCredit: AFP or licensors

Albion's disgraced skipper Jonny Evans looks to be heading for Leicester City for a bargain £3million at the end of the season after demanding the relegation safety clause.

However, Dawson and Rodriguez will only be allowed to leave The Hawthorns if a buyer comes up with the Baggies’ full valuation.

SunSport can reveal Palace chiefs have been quoted £30million for the pair who would jump at the chance to stay in the Premier League next season, rather than having their wages slashed by 40 per cent if, as expected, Albion are relegated.

Hodgson is a huge fan of Dawson, 27, and gave him his Premier League debut against Swansea in 2011.

 Ex-Rochdale centre-back Craig Dawson is a former England Under-21 star who has been with the Baggies since 2010
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Ex-Rochdale centre-back Craig Dawson is a former England Under-21 star who has been with the Baggies since 2010Credit: REUTERS
 Jonny Evans was on the radar of Arsenal and Manchester City earlier this season but now Leicester are well placed to sign the Northern Ireland star for £5m
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Jonny Evans was on the radar of Arsenal and Manchester City earlier this season but now Leicester are well placed to sign the Northern Ireland star for £5mCredit: PA:Press Association

The former England boss values his versatility and the fact he is equally comfortable at right back or at centre-half. Palace Sporting Director Dougie Freedman is also a fan of Dawson, who he had on loan at Bolton earlier in his career.

However, Palace face stiff competition, most notably from West Ham, Burnley and newly-promoted Wolves.


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Hammers No.2 Stuart Pearce is another Dawson devotee who made him a regular in his England Under-21 set-up and also selected him for the Great Britain Olympic team in 2012.

However, Hodgson hopes to conclude a double-deal and is ready to offer Baggies' striker Jay Rodriguez an escape route from the Championship.

Palace virtually sealed their Premier status for another season following Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Leicester City and Hodgson wants Rodriguez to add firepower up front next season.

Crystal Palace 5-0 Leicester: Roy Hodgson’s team demolish the Owls to all but seal Premier League survival

The 70-year-old Palace boss called Rodriguez up for England and awarded him his only cap against Chile in 2013, with the intention of taking him to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

However the striker ruptured his cruciate ligament against Manchester City in April 2014 and was sidelined for almost a year.

This season he has returned to form in a struggling West Brom team, scoring a double at Anfield to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup.

 

 Crystal Palace chief Roy Hodgson is poised to go shopping at the Hawthorns if his former club West Brom get relegated
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Crystal Palace chief Roy Hodgson is poised to go shopping at the Hawthorns if his former club West Brom get relegatedCredit: PA:Press Association
 West Brom stars Jay Rodriguez and Craig Dawson, pictured with Chris Brunt, are likely to be targeted by Premier League clubs like Crystal Palace this summer
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West Brom stars Jay Rodriguez and Craig Dawson, pictured with Chris Brunt, are likely to be targeted by Premier League clubs like Crystal Palace this summerCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Rodriguez also netted Baggies winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford and has found the net against Manchester City and Arsenal too, as he has hit 11 goals for the Premier League’s basement boys.

The versatile forward has also shown good mental strength to deal with allegations from Brighton defender Gaetan Bong that he racially abused him during Albion 2-0 home win in January.

Despite a lengthy and detailed investigation no evidence was provided to back up the Brighton defender’s claim and 28-year-old Rodriguez received no punishment from the FA after an independent panel decided the case was not proven.

Full Saturday Premier League preview including West Brom vs Liverpool and Watford vs Crystal Palace
 Jay Rodriguez could win the opportunity to stay in the Premier League - with Crystal Palace - if bottom side WBA get relegated
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Jay Rodriguez could win the opportunity to stay in the Premier League - with Crystal Palace - if bottom side WBA get relegatedCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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