Exclusive: Rangers & Leeds in race to sign West Ham 23-yr-old

According to sources who spoke to Football Insider, Rangers, Leeds United, and Sheffield United are among

the teams hoping to sign West Ham striker Ben Johnson this month.

The 23-year-old may leave the London Stadium on loan before the deadline of February 1st,

and Southampton is reportedly among the teams in the running for his services.

Johnson, who is nearing the end of his contract with West Ham,

is eager to play more first-team football after finding it difficult to get into games for David Moyes’ club.

He has turned down multiple offers from the Irons for a possible extension.

Rangers, Leeds, Sheffield United, and Southampton are reportedly the teams in England and the north of

the border that are most interested in signing Johnson.

This season, the defender has made just six appearances for West Ham in all competitions and

has only provided one assist.

Johnson, who is capable of playing centre back as well as full back on both sides,

made his sole Premier League start of the 2023–24 season on January 2 in the Irons’ 0-0 draw against Brighton.

Since making his Premier League debut for West Ham at the age of 19 under Manuel Pellegrini,

he has played in 93 games overall.

The 23-year-old was a member of the team that won the European Championships the previous year and

has accumulated 10 caps for England’s Under-21 team.

Leeds is interested in Johnson because he can play on both wings and

they are looking to bolster their right and left back positions.

As they battle relegation in the upcoming season,

Sheffield United might be prepared to extend an offer to Johnson to stay in the Premier League.

Both Southampton and Rangers have high aspirations to win

the Scottish Premiership and the Championship, respectively.

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