Leeds United transfer news: ‘Change of heart’ emerges at West Ham as Ben Johnson wanted at Elland Road and Crystal Palace
West Ham are now hoping to re-open contract negotiations with Ben Johnson in a “change of heart” over the exit-linked defender who Leeds United want to sign this month, according to The Athletic.
The outlet’s Hammers correspondent Roshane Thomas reported for their website on 26 January that the previous four-year deal on the table, which was rejected, had been viewed as the final offer, but improved form across four appearances in the New Year has changed that mindset.
Johnson has already turned down two extensions at the London Stadium and is currently in line to be out of contract in the summer, but has now attracted transfer interest during the January window from the Whites and Crystal Palace.
The 24-year-old wants “assurances” over playing time to sign a new deal, having featured sparingly for David Moyes, and is willing to see out the last few months of his deal if terms can’t be agreed.
Suddenly in demand
It looks like Johnson now has a few options on the table and Leeds United could potentially take advantage of the uncertainty.
If West Ham know that he is happy to leave for free in a few months’ time it might make them more willing to accept a cut-price deal before the transfer window shuts.
Although the versatile defender, who is primarily a right-back but can feature across the backline, would reportedly prefer to remain in the Premier League he might still be interested by an Elland Road switch with the Whites looking increasingly strong candidates for automatic promotion.
Daniel Farke needs extra numbers in all areas of defence and a deal for Johnson could help across the board.
Johnson has started as many games in Premier League 2 this season as the actual top flight (one), with just eight first-team appearances overall, so Moyes is surely going to need to commit to using him more than that.
MOT Leeds News pundit Paul Robinson believes he has the right “quality” to add something to the Whites back line, and could be installed as first-choice right-back in order to free up Archie Gray to return to midfield.
That would clearly give him a lot more game time in the Championship over the next few months, if he is willing to temporarily (in theory) to drop down a division.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are thought to be “very close” to swiping a transfer target out from under the noses of their rivals.
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