By Joe Ellis

19th Sep, 2022 | 7:06pm

West Ham United contracts talks stall for Ben Johnson months after two-year extension

Ben Johnson’s contract talks with West Ham United have stalled as the right-back waits for the view to be clearer, according to Claret and Hugh.

The 22-year-old is currently out of action injured having started the season as a makeshift central defender due to injuries within David Moyes’ squad.

His current deal at the London Stadium runs until 2024 but the Irons are keen to tie him down to a much longer deal if they can although he and his agency, CAA Base Ltd. want to wait to see how the season plays out.

Talks could continue nearer Christmas between the two parties but Johnson would seem reluctant to sign anything with West Ham currently in the relegation zone seven games into the 2022-23 Premier League season.

Only in February of this year did the 22-year-old England youth international sign a two-year extension to his Hammers deal and receive a handy pay rise with it, as reported by the Evening Standard, 23 February.

Crucial

In Moyes’ very best team, Johnson may have to take a position on the bench but he is still one of the most important players in the entire squad despite that.

His versatility has been on full show over the past 12 months as he has also filled in at left-back at times when Aaron Cresswell was unavailable for one reason or another.

Emerson Palmieri’s arrival has made that less of a necessity but it is still a very useful tool to have in the toolbox and he proved that he can hold his own in the centre of defence too although it would be better for Moyes if he wasn’t required there again.

You can understand his hesitation to sign on the dotted line with plenty of time still left on his current deal and the club’s precarious league position making for an uncertain-looking future.

Even if West ham have to pay a little more than they would like, they have to keep the homegrown boy at his home for as long as possible.