Tottenham Hotspur are contemplating a summer swoop for versatile West Ham United defender Ben Johnson, who has entered the final few months of his contract at the London Stadium.
Having risen through West Ham’s academy, Ben Johnson, 24, has proven himself to be a solid squad player since making his Premier League debut for the senior side back in 2019. He has made over 100 appearances for the Irons thus far, netting twice. The former England Under-21 international has showcased his flexibility across defensive roles over the past few years, operating adeptly as a full-back, wing-back and centre-back.
However, Johnson’s future at West Ham appears to be uncertain due to his contractual situation. Despite the club’s offer of a four-year contract extension, negotiations between both parties have reached a standstill. The Englishman has already turned down two contract offers, putting his future at the east London club in doubt.
Tottenham have reportedly set their sights on Johnson, hoping to poach him from fierce London rivals on a free transfer in the summer.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou eyeing full-back reinforcements
Tottenham are looking to secure Champions League football for the next campaign, and they will need more depth in the squad to compete well across all fronts. It is all the more incredible for Ange Postecoglou to get Spurs playing an attacking, enterprising brand of football without a recognised No.9.
The Spurs manager will be keen to add more quality to his squad during the summer transfer window. A full-back is understood to be on his agenda to provide cover for Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro. Emerson Royal was linked with a move to the Middle East in January so that Saudi Arabian clubs could revive their interest in the Brazilian. Spurs could replace Royal with West Ham’s Ben Johnson if he is sold.
Johnson’s impending free-agent status makes him an interesting option for Spurs. They can allocate funds towards reinforcing other positions while landing the former England Under-21 international on a Bosman transfer. However, it will be intriguing to see if Johnson would anger the West Ham fans by moving across the capital.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.