Frank McAvennie shares what West Ham have to do to keep Ben Johnson
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
West Ham have a tough task on their hands to keep hold of homegrown talent Ben Johnson long-term and Frank McAvennie knows what they need to do.
The 22-year-old reportedly rejected a new six-year deal at the London Stadium last week as the Irons look to secure him to the club for the foreseeable future [The Athletic].
Thankfully for David Moyes, he is still under contract until 2024 which gives the club plenty of time to negotiate a deal but the longer they wait, the more clubs may show an interest.
Former Hammers striker McAvennie has shared what he thinks the club needs to do in order to tie him down to an improved and extended deal.
“Listen, if they have given him a terrible offer, someone else will be telling him what he can earn elsewhere,” McAvennie exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“West Ham have to go and match that. He’s a good player and he has a future there. Players talk, Moyes knows this. He will know what other people are earning and he will want a bit of that.
“So he won’t accept any offers from the club that don’t match what other players similar to him are earning.”
The Englishman has quickly become a key member of Moyes’ side after injuries to Vladimir Coufal and Ryan Fredericks leaving him the only option in recent games.
He will be one of the first names on the teamsheet as a result and the better he performs, the more he may be able to demand in negotiations.
In other West Ham news, Tony Cottee slammed the Irons after their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool yesterday.