Eredivisie club Feyenoord have entered the race for Hammers fullback Ben Johnson who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Johnson is a West Ham academy graduate who has been with the club since he was seven years old and has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the first team to date.
The 24 year old’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season. Johnson is said to want around £50,000 a week and assurances over playing time in order to sign a new deal. With negotiations over a new contract appearing to be at a stand still, it is becoming increasingly likely that the fullback will leave the Hammers in the summer in order to seek a new challenge.
There has been much speculation over who Johnson may decide to join if he is to leave West Ham. A number of teams in England and also abroad are said to be chasing the West Ham academy graduate’s signature. Promotion pushing Championship sides Leeds and Southampton are said to be keeping an eye on Johnson, whilst in the Premier League, fellow London club Crystal Palace are said to be keen on making a move for Johnson this summer.
Spanish clubs Villarreal and Real Betis, the latter managed by former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini, are also said to hold an interest in the England U21 international. Johnson has been able to speak to foreign clubs since January with the defender entering the last few months of his West Ham contract.
Dutch side Feyenoord, who are currently 2nd in the Eredivisie and are on course to qualify for the Champions League, are reported to have made an approach and entered the race to sign Johnson.
With a number of clubs both in England and abroad holding a firm interest in Johnson, and it looking increasingly unlikely that he will stay with the Hammers, it will certainly be interesting to see where the 24 year old’s career takes him to next.