Leeds United transfer news as negotiations update emerges on West Ham defender Ben Johnson
Leeds United have a few negotiation points to iron out as they are keen on signing West Ham defender Ben Johnson, according to Ben Jacobs.
The CBS Sports journalist told Give Me Sport on Friday (19 January) that the Whites do not want to wait until the summer to sign the Englishman on a free but instead, bring him in on loan this month.
The Whites could look to move very fast in order to convince the Hammers to let go of him on a permanent deal for a transfer fee too.
Jacobs said: “Ben Johnson is the other one on the list. So one of those two is possible. And again, Ben Johnson hasn’t seen that many minutes.
“He’s out of contract in the summer. But Leeds are in favour, I’m told, of not waiting until the summer, they want to move now. They would take Ben Johnson on a loan.
“So it’s just about whether or not they can agree terms because West Ham would want a fee, even though the player’s contract is running down.
“So I think if Leeds could move for Johnson and get a low fee, or somehow persuade West Ham for no fee, then they would move very fast. But there’s a few negotiation points to get that one over the line.”
Makes sense
Leeds sent Djed Spence back to Tottenham Hotspur and in many ways, Johnson will be similar to that signing.
Much like Spence, he’s a right-back by trade, but versatile enough to play at left-back as he’s shown time and again under David Moyes.
He’s also played as a centre-back so should he join, Daniel Farke will be given the option of playing a back three as well with him being either the right or left-sided defender.
At 23, he’s still in the early days of his career and even if it is a small fee, Leeds should consider paying it.
Not only will be the first-choice left-back as he offers much more defensive stability than the likes of Junior Firpo and Sam Byram, Farke may even look to make him the right-back.
If Leeds do not sign him now and wait for his contract to run out, the number of clubs waiting to sign him on a free transfer will be higher and it’ll be even more difficult to get this deal over the line.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims that the Whites are seriously considering acceptable offers for one player with a new signing on the cards.
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