West Ham to trigger option to extend Ben Johnson contract – report
West Ham remain in talks to renew Ben Johnson’s contract at the club, but have a two-year club option to activate this summer anyway according to Claret&Hugh.
Johnson has become a regular in the first-team picture under David Moyes this season, featuring in both full-back and wing-back positions throughout the campaign.
His current deal is schedule to expire at the end of the current season, leaving some fans worried he could leave for nothing.
However Claret&Hugh have shared an update on the situation via one of their sources, and they claim there are ‘no immediate concerns’ about his future with talks continuing and the club retaining an automatic extension option anyway.
“There are no immediate concerns and talks will continue in the summer but we have a two year option on Ben anyway,” they are quoted as saying.
Phew
While Johnson isn’t quite first-choice yet, he’s proven himself to be a more than reliable option for Moyes and West Ham this season.
Hammers fans were worried that he could leave for more regular football, a bit like another academy graduate in Jeremy Ngakia did when he left for Watford after breaking through.
But the news that the club retain a two-year option means those fears are allayed for the immediate future, and the fact there are no concerns about a longer term deal are even better.
Johnson is only 22-years-old but has proven he is more than good enough to play in the Premier League. A new deal is more than deserved at this point.
With Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal both the wrong side of 30 by the time next season comes around, Johnson has a real chance of making a play to be a starter.
In other West Ham news, ‘Have to get better’ – Mark Lawrenson predicts result of West Ham clash v Leicester