West Ham United: Ben Johnson in demand as Aston Villa and Tottenham in wide race for deal
Ben Johnson is in “high demand” within the Premier League this summer as he heads towards a potential free transfer West Ham exit, according to Graeme Bailey.
Reporting for HITC’s website on 15 April the journalist said that the defender has rejected “numerous” new contract offers at the London Stadium and is now attracting extensive interest for a bargain move, from across Europe and the top flight.
German, French and Italian teams have been in contact with the 24-year-old’s representatives while Champions League-chasing pair Aston Villa and Tottenham, as well as mid-table Wolves and relegation-threatened Everton all have their eyes on him.
Spurs had reportedly been previously turned onto Johnson by his cousin, former White Hart Lane captain Ledley King.
London Stadium exit on the cards as West Ham deals rejected
After just four Premier League starts this season it is little surprise that Johnson is minded to move on since at his age he wants to have a chance to feature more than that, having been linked to an exit in January.
He has routinely been stuck behind Vladimir Coufal under David Moyes and unless there is a clear sign that is set to change he looks likely to leave in a couple of months’ time.
Not all of his potential destinations could offer him regular starts though so it may be that the likes of Everton and Wolves have a head start, given he could have signed for an overseas side by now so likely wants to stay in the Premier League.
If he does go it will leave another gap in a defence that is facing changes already and the cover that his versatility provides could make it tricky to find someone to fill that back-up role sufficiently.
Should Moyes leave though and the new manager isn’t as sold on Coufal, 31, it could prove to be poor timing on Johnson’s part.
But given the West Ham board can’t seem to decide what they are doing with the Scot it may be that the English full-back hasn’t got the time to wait around and find out, especially when he seemingly has options on his hands.
In other West Ham news, a finance expert says the Irons have been allowed to become the only day-to-day profitable side in the league thanks to “idiots”.
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