West Ham’s stance on Southampton and Leeds United becomes clear

West Ham would rather sell defender this month than loan amid interest from Leeds and Southampton.

According to The Daily Mail’s Transfer Confidential, despite interest from Leeds United and Southampton, West Ham United would prefer to be paid for defender Ben Johnson rather than loan him out.

Leeds and Southampton both want to join the Premier League again as soon as possible, and thus far, they have a chance to accomplish so.

Daniel Farke’s team is comfortably in the play-off spots, and Russell Martin’s Southampton team, on the other hand, is in the running for an automatic spot following impressive form.

The Whites and Saints may be eager to make some personal adjustments during this transfer window in order to match the high expectations placed on the two players.

With so many prominent players leaving their clubs throughout the summer, both parties will be flush with cash.

Both teams have been quiet so far this transfer window, although Leeds has terminated Djed Spence’s loan at the team, and the Saints might be trying to bolster their roster with additional competition.

Given that reports surfaced over the weekend indicating Southampton and Leeds were among the teams interested in Johnson, it appears that both are keeping an eye on the full-back position.

This month, West Ham would want to sell Ben Johnson.

Leeds and Southampton are two teams interested in signing Ben Johnson this month, according to Football Insider.

In addition to these two, reports suggest that Scottish Premiership team Rangers and Premier League team Sheffield United are also interested.

According to the report, the Hammers might try to loan the 23-year-old before the transfer window ends.

But since the defender is still drawing interest, West Ham is eager to receive a money, according to the Daily Mail’s Transfer Confidential.

Johnson’s deal with the London team is scheduled to expire at the conclusion of this season, and it appears that he may want to play elsewhere given that he has turned down many contract offers.

According to this source, West Ham is eager to increase their attacking alternatives, and if Johnson were to depart, they would have to pay costs. It further states that Leeds has not yet made an approach to sign the 23-year-old player, despite their interest in him.

The 2023–2024 season’s statistics for Ben Johnson

Johnson progressed through the West Ham academy’s various age levels before joining the main team in 2020.

The defender has made 93 appearances for the Hammers, although he has had difficulty finding playing time this year.

Johnson has only made six appearances for the team in all competitions thus far. He made an appearance in the Europa League, starting the match against FK TSC.

He made a brief appearance against Manchester United and played the entire match in the draw against Brighton, the other two Premier League appearances coming in their most recent games.

He appears to be very much on the outskirts of the West Ham first team, as evidenced by his other outings in the FA Cup and EFL Cup.