Ben Johnson, defender for West Ham United, is reportedly being pursued by Leeds United, Southampton, and Ipswich Town.
Johnson, a graduate of the Hammers academy, was strongly linked to Leeds in the January transfer window when the Whites were looking to add a right-back. Although Luke Ayling left for Middlesbrough on loan and Djed Spence’s Elland Road loan period was terminated, a deal for Johnson was not completed.
On the last day of the transfer window, Leeds instead signed Burnley’s Connor Roberts to a loan. The Sunday Mirror claims that Leeds has continued to show interest in the former England under-21 player.
Southampton and Ipswich, rivals in the Championship promotion race with Leeds, are reportedly also interested in the 24-year-old. Johnson’s contract is set to expire in a few months, but West Ham manager David Moyes is reportedly keen to keep him on.
The Premier League has reportedly expressed interest in the defender as well; teams like Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur are rumoured to be among them.
Johnson has made just four league starts this season while being in and out of the West Ham team. His inaction may come back to haunt him when it comes to choosing his next move, particularly in light of the possibility that regular football could be available at places like Leeds.
For the majority of the season, Daniel Farke has used Archie Grey at right-back, with Rasmus Kristensen and Ayling out on loan and seemingly out of the picture at Elland Road.
Since joining the Whites on loan, Roberts has made 11 league appearances, but only two of those have come from the beginning.
