Tottenham and Everton are also being linked with the West Ham defender who’s available on a free transfer this summer.
According to a rumour, Aston Villa will have competition this summer from Premier League rivals for a surprise free agent. Prior to the transfer window, Villa has already been linked to a number of defenders, and now there is even more names on the list.
Villa are “keen to sign” Mario Hermoso, a defender for Atletico Madrid, while Teden Mengi, a former Manchester United player, of Luton Town, has been persuaded by club favourite Stan Collymore to join Villa. HITC reports that Unai Emery and his staff may now turn to West Ham’s Ben Johnson, a rival in the Premier League. This is the president of football operations at Monchi.
Four-Way Transfer Chase
Four Premier League teams are reportedly interested in signing the West Ham free agent, including Villa, according to the publication. The 24-year-old has previously “turned down numerous” contract offers from the Hammers before his contract at the London Stadium expires this summer.
Villa and Wolves, two teams in the West Midlands, are reportedly considering moves for Johnson. The former England under-21 international is reportedly attracting interest from Everton and Tottenham as well. Should Johnson decide not to extend his contract with West Ham, there may be an intriguing transfer market tussle in the summer. Leeds has already been connected, and they appear to be headed for promotion from the Championship. curiosity from
Johnson joined West Ham at the age of seven and progressed through the academy to become a regular member of the first squad. Cynically speaking, it’s possible that Johnson’s agency is generating interest to aid in contract talks with West Ham. However, the east London club will really miss him if he departs in the summer.
Stuart Pearce’s high praise
His personal attributes in and around the training ground and dressing room will be conspicuously absent, according to remarks made by Stuart Pearce, the assistant coach for West Ham at the time. Pearce was all praise for Johnson in 2021 when he discussed the young defender.
“The most important thing about Ben is whenever you pass him or meet him first thing in the morning, he’s got a smile on his face,” Pearce stated to BBC Sport. “He absorbs all the information you can impart to him.
“It’s a pleasure working and dealing with him as a professional. Being free of our academy system is something we’re really pleased of, especially considering the relationship this club has with the academy. I’m happy for the youngster because I think he’s simply getting better and better, and like any young players, he’ll get better the more playing time he gets.”
Such characteristics would be ideal for Unai Emery and his Aston Villa squad. Johnson’s addition to an already strong group of hungry, realistic English players would be greatly appreciated. If Johnson is the player Emery wants, there is no reason why he could not succeed at Villa like Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Matty Cash, and Ollie Watkins have.
