Ben Johnson responds to Crystal Palace offer as West Ham United U-turn on the cards
West Ham defender Ben Johnson has rejected a move to Crystal Palace in favour of staying at the London Stadium, according to GiveMeSport.
Journalist Dean Jones revealed that the out-of-contract full-back is set to stay with the Hammers having reportedly been offered a fresh five-year deal by his boyhood club.
Palace, Rangers and Leeds United are just three of the cubs to have declared interest in signing the 24-year-old on a free transfer this summer, but now all appear set to be rebuffed by Johnson.
Jones’ reported added that after receiving limited game-time under David Moyes last season, Johnson is keen for a fresh start under the Hammers’ new manager Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham United will be happy to keep hold of Ben Johnson
Lopetegui has wasted no time in pursuing defensive transfer targets at the London Stadium, as well as appearing happy to show the door to several long-time fixtures of the Hammers’ backline [The Sun].
Johnson looked set to be a member of that departure list, having been linked for months with a plethora of clubs keen to sign the versatile defender, but his decision to stay with the Irons is a massive boost for Lopetegui.
Able to cover both flanks of the defence equally well, Johnson’s involvement in the Spaniard’s squad will provide plenty of cover, and continue to give Czech veteran Vladimir Coufal direct competition at right-back [iSport].
Five starts across just 22 appearances is something that Johnson will certainly look to improve on next season, but with Lopetegui showing his keenness to usher youth into Moyes’ aging squad, there’s every chance that West Ham’s number two will have a big part to play.
In other West Ham news, Dharmesh Sheth has issued an update on a Hammers player who’s now being pursued by a rival Premier League club.
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