Ipswich Town want to sign West Ham United defender Ben Johnson on a free transfer this summer, according to The Telegraph.
Writing on their website (22 June), the news outlet report that Kieran McKenna wants to sign the full-back to strengthen his options at the back after promotion to the Premier League.
Johnson is free to leave at the end of the month when his contract expires, but the Hammers have offered him a fresh five-year deal [The Athletic, 11 June] to try to convince him to stay into the new campaign.
West Ham clinging to hope to keep Ben Johnson
It’s been an open secret for a couple of years now that Johnson wants to leave the club for more regular first-team football, and now he seems to be getting his way.
Under David Moyes the 24-year-old was regularly used as a utility option, with his versatility being a curse and a blessing at the same time.
But he wants to be more settled down and wants to play more often, and with the Hammers not keen to match his wage demands it seems impossible that their relationship can continue beyond the summer.
There is plenty of interest in his services too from other clubs in the Premier League, and while they may not match his wage demands they will almost certainly offer him more regular playing time.
West Ham are hoping they can find a way to convince him, as they did with Aaron Cresswell earlier this summer, but right now it looks highly unlikely.
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