West Ham United must move fast to keep Ben Johnson at London Stadium as transfer news emerges
West Ham United are reportedly willing to listen to offers for academy product Ben Johnson this summer but given the defender’s lack of opportunities, the Hammers must look to secure his future instead.
The 23-year-old has been in and out of the team at the London Stadium this campaign, amassing just 742 minutes of Premier League football across 13 appearances, with David Moyes preferring Vladimir Coufal and Thilo Kehrer at right-back.
The four-time England under-21 international has been the subject of Premier League interest in the past, with fellow English top-flight strugglers Everton reportedly linked with a deadline-day move back in January, according to Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel.
According to reliable club source Claret & Hugh [20 April], the Hammers are unlikely to hand Johnson a new deal with his contract expiring in 2024 and are willing to listen to offers for his services this summer.
“Despite him being a squad team member who can fill two or three positions it looks likely the club will listen to offers for him in the summer.
“The club had intended to negotiate with him around Christmas but decided against it bearing in mind his form hadn’t been great at that time.
“Claret and Hugh were told at that time the club were deliberately holding off offering him a deal in the hope that things would improve for him.
“Nothing much has changed since and with Everton showing interest the Hammers will listen to offers”, the source reveals.”
Given Johnson’s potential to improve even further and his relatively young age at just 23, West Ham United could be well set for another transfer blunder should they allow the full-back to leave, especially to a Premier League rival in Everton.
The Hammers have already lost bright young star Harrison Ashby who joined Newcastle United in January and could well be set to lose Czech international Vladimir Coufal too which leaves the right-back position potentially depleted if Johnson moves on.
There are no guarantees the Hammers will be able to locate suitable replacements, especially now that their Premier League status for next season is far from secure. It would be poor squad planning to allow both Coufal and Johnson to leave without locating viable replacements.
However, Johnson has proven himself to be a reliable and assured defensive option for Moyes throughout his time at the club, and it makes you wonder what could become of the 23-year-old if he is given the regular opportunities his talents deserve.
His versatility has proven a crucial commodity for the Hammers too, and defenders who are able to play in several key positions along the back line are in actual fact, a rare breed in the English game.
With much change expected to take place at West Ham United this summer, especially on the managerial front, it’s important the club don’t make any rash decisions regarding Johnson’s future.
The next manager may want to evaluate his talents and progress in pre-season and we feel he still deserves a chance to impress given he’s still relatively a young player with incredible defensive potential. West Ham may not be able to locate a better alternative.