West Ham United update on Ben Johnson emerges from London Stadium amid January transfer window interest at Leeds United
West Ham would still like to sign Ben Johnson to a new contract if they can despite him having turned down previous offers, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic’s Leeds United reporter told the Square Ball Podcast on 19 January that amid interest from Elland Road he has heard from the London Stadium that the Irons would still like to keep the full-back if possible.
Leeds are hoping to do a loan deal, which would likely include a fee, but with just six months left on Johnson’s deal West Ham want to sell him outright if they are to let him go, yet apparently still harbour hopes of him remaining long-term.
Hay said (11.06am): “Ben Johnson down at West Ham, not getting many minutes, six months left on his contract. Leeds would like to do that one on loan if it was him that they were to go for.
“There’d almost certainly be a loan fee involved but I think West Ham, because of where his contract is at, would prefer to take a fee and sell him.
“Although, from what I’m hearing down at the West Ham end, even though he’s rejected quite a few contract offers, they are not averse to tying him to a new one still because they do really rate him.”
Ship sailed?
It is getting pretty late in the day if West Ham are going to keep hold of Johnson, and while that would make a certain amount of sense due to his versatility to cover multiple positions it feels like his time with the club is probably coming to an end.
Evidently the Hammers haven’t been able to offer him enough playing time or a big enough extension to convince him to remain so far, so either the club ups their commitment to him or he will have to decide the alternative options aren’t attractive enough.
There is currently a stand-off this month between West Ham and Leeds since each side will obviously want to either maximise or minimise the cash involved.
But the Irons will have to be pretty sure that there is scope for Johnson to change his position and sign a new deal if they are to hold onto him past the transfer deadline, or he will be on his way for free come the summer.
Otherwise it will require the two clubs to reach some sort of compromise on the fee involved to sort out a deal before the winter window shuts.
And as the 23-year-old has only made seven appearances in all competitions so far this season it is perhaps unsurprising that he might see his future elsewhere, especially when the club are regularly linked with signing more full-backs.
In other West Ham news, a striker option is “very determined” to make a move to London this month.
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