Sources: Ben Johnson has rejected latest West Ham contract offer as Leeds United plot move
West Ham are still open to handing defender Ben Johnson a new contract, sources have told Football Insider.
The 23-year-old has rejected several offers from the Irons – with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (13 January) that Rangers, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Southampton are keen on landing Johnson this month.
It is believed he could leave the London Stadium on loan before the 1 February deadline.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Johnson is keen to play first-team football in his preferred right-back role going forward.
West Ham want to renew his deal as home-grown players are valuable to Irons for squad registration reasons.
However, Johnson could be allowed to leave permanently this month if he is unwilling to pen a new deal with the east London outfit.
The England Under-21 international has played just six times across all competitions for West Ham this season, grabbing one assist.
He started in the Irons’ 0-0 draw against Brighton in the Premier League on 2 January – his only start of the 2023-24 campaign.
The defender, who can play as a full-back on both sides and as a centre-back, has made 93 appearances for West Ham in total since making his Premier League debut in 2019.
Johnson is currently behind first-choice right-back Vladimir Coufal in David Moyes’ pecking order – but Thilo Kehrer has departed this month to clear a path for the 23-year-old.
West Ham sit sixth in the Premier League and will play Europa League knockout stage football from March.
In other news, West Ham could now accept offers for three stars to fund striker deal.