West Ham United ace who Julen Lopetegui wanted set for official announcement at new club Monday. Ben Johnson’s exit from West Ham to Ipswich Town could be officially announced on Monday 1 July, according to TEAMtalk.
A report on the outlet’s website on 30 June said that with a medical already completed and a four-year deal at Portman Road agreed the move is set to be completed imminently, with the defender leaving the London Stadium as a free agent thanks to his contract expiring the same day.
Johnson, 24, is said to be one of promoted Ipswich’s “top targets” as Kieran McKenna builds a squad capable of avoiding relegation.
The full-back had appeared destined for an exit after rejecting multiple contract extensions during his final season under David Moyes with no shortage of interest, before the arrival of Julen Lopetegui saw a last-ditch five-year deal offered as the Spaniard wanted to prevent the exit [The Athletic, 11 June], but those improved terms were not enough.
Ben Johnson leaves West Ham for Ipswich Town
The change at manager looked like it might be enough of a key factor to change Johnson’s mind and keep him as a Hammers player.
But after multiple seasons as an occasional back-up the chance to be a regular starter at a team which has just completed back-to-back promotions to return to the Premier League has proven too good to turn down.
It appears Lopetegui and Tim Steidten have reacted to losing one English right-back by looking to bring in another in Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters amid discussions over a Flynn Downes exit [BBC Sport, 28 June].
There is also interest in a Vladimir Coufal exit [A Spor, 28 June] so it may be that Johnson is departing just as the door had opened for him to step up for the Irons.
Ben Johnson turned down multiple new contract offers from West Ham. But the late attempt to keep him in place has ultimately proven to be too little too late, and if the club can land Walker-Peters he should be a very solid replacement.
In other West Ham news, an update has emerged on whether a key man with an active release clause has said he wants to leave.
