West Ham United’s £12 million bid for West Brom defender Craig Dawson has been turned down by the Championship club, who are shaking up their recruitment structure following relegation.

Dawson is a target for a number of Premier League clubs and West Ham have seen an opening offer ­rejected, with Albion understood to be rating the 28-year-old at more than £20 million.

Burnley have also had bids turned down for Dawson, one of the few consistent Albion players in the club’s relegation season, and West Ham are considering whether to make an improved offer. Dawson can play at right-back or centre-half and Albion had hoped to persuade him to sign a new contract.

West Brom are making changes to their recruitment structure after informing their technical consultant, ­Giuliano Terraneo, he will not be fully involved with transfer deals, amid suggestions of disagreements with players and rival clubs.

The former goalkeeper was ­appointed in April as a short-term replacement for the dismissed Nick Hammond, but his role will now be adjusted after talks with the board.