Sources in the media are claiming that Craig Dawson has handed in a transfer request, as his summer transfer saga takes a new twist.

Sky Sports News have today reported that Dale's central defender Craig Dawson has handed in a transfer request after months of speculation linking him with a move elsewhere.

The current League Two player of the Year has become the hottest property in the lower divisions, with interest in his services from the likes of Spurs, Fulham, Bolton, Middlesboro, Swansea and Scunthorpe. The list of his suitors goes on and on.

But this new twist, if there is any truth behind it, is perhaps the clearest sign that the interest in Dawson may go beyond just interest, and could see Dawson leaving Spotland for divisions above.

Dale turned down a bid from Middlesbrough last month which was beleived to be an initial fee of £400,000, which Dale boss Keith Hill very vocal in his condemnation of Middlesboro's pursuit, calling them disrespectful claiming "there is a lot of skulduggery, things not done in quite the proper manner."

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