- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Ben Johnson could leave West Ham for nothing this summer with Aston Villa, Everton, Wolves and Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur all running the rule over the out-of-contract defender.
The academy graduate might not be one of the most vaunted members of the West Ham dressing room, at least compared to Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus. But Ben Johnson‘s versatility, his homegrown status and the fact he will be available on a free transfer from July onwards means the 24-year-old is emerging as a player in high demand ahead of the summer transfer window.
HITC understands that Johnson, who has turned down numerous chances to extend his stay at the London Stadium, is under consideration by Aston Villa, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
There is also interest from West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. And the prospect of losing a player who joined the club’s academy all the way back in 2007 crossing the divide is likely to be a very unpopular one amongst the claret-and-blue fanbase.
Spurs have not signed a single player from West Ham since Scott Parker 13 years ago.
Tottenham eyeing West Ham raid for Ben Johnson
Sources have told HITC that clubs in Italy, France and Germany have talked to Johnson’s representatives too. Leeds United also looked in January, and could return for the former England Under 21 international. Connor Roberts, who joined Leeds instead three months ago, is only on loan from Burnley and faces an uncertain future at Elland Road.
Johnson has never really been a regular in the West Ham XI. But, given that he can feature on both the left and the right, and also as a full-back or in a more central role, there will be plenty of managers who see the benefit of adding a player of his ilk to their squad.
“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. He takes in all the knowledge you can pass on to him,” former Hammers coach Stuart Pearce told the BBC of Johnson back in 2021.
“He’s a wonderful professional to deal with and work with. We’re very proud to have him out of our academy system as well, which is a real plus for us, especially with the connection to this club with the academy.”
Defender available on a free transfer
Everton, struggling with financial concerns, are unsurprisingly keen on a proven Premier League operator who will be available for nothing. Wolves, meanwhile, have also found life difficult under FFP recently, with Gary O’Neil opening up on the club’s struggles to bring in a new centre-forward in January.
“Unfortunately, the club were not in a position to be able to help us with that due to financial reasons,” O’Neill said, appearing to highlight Wolves’ inability to secure the services of Chelsea’s Fulham loanee Armando Broja.
“We had a Premier League number nine lined up to come in and help us and a fairly small amount of money stopped us doing it.”
Tottenham, HITC understands, have been looking at both right-backs – such as Fiorentina’s Michael Kayode – and left-backs a la Fenerbahce’s Ferdi Kadioglu. The flexible, two-footed Johnson could kill two birds with one stone, then.