Ipswich Town have joined the race for West Ham full-back Ben Johnson, according to the Daily Mirror (21/4 paper edition; page 71).
The Tractor Boys are currently in the mix for promotion – and that will have allowed their recruitment team to plan for a potentially exciting summer transfer window.
If they are promoted, it’s clear that they will need to level up their squad to give themselves the best chance of staying in the Premier League, even though their team has done a remarkable job to put them in contention to secure back-to-back promotions.
Not only will they need more quality in various positions, but they will also need depth and their full-back department is one area they should be looking to strengthen.
Johnson can operate on both sides – and that would be a boost for a side that are set to lose the versatile Brandon Williams when he returns to Manchester United in the summer.
Harry Clarke and Janoi Donacien can play on the right, but it remains to be seen whether the latter is in McKenna’s plans for next season.
On the left, Leif Davis looks set to be the only left-back option when Williams leaves.
Davis has done an exceptional job, but he needs competition and he nearly had that in January, with Marvin Johnson previously being heavily linked with a move to Portman Road.
Interest mounting in Ben Johnson amid uncertain West Ham future
With the player not winning a huge amount of game time this season, Johnson may feel he has a better chance of thriving elsewhere – and there’s no shortage of interest in him.
According to the same Daily Mirror update (via MOT Leeds News), Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Southampton all retain an interest in him ahead of the summer.
The Irons will reportedly make a last-ditch attempt to keep hold of the full-back, but it remains to be seen whether David Moyes’ side will succeed in their quest, with interest mounting in the player’s signature in recent months.
Ben Johnson could be a good addition at Ipswich Town for various reasons
As mentioned earlier, the Tractor Boys are in need of depth in this position and having Johnson would be ideal because of that.
Able to operate on both sides, Johnson could be a player that allows Ipswich to make one signing at full-back rather than two, with other ideas potentially needing to be addressed too during the summer.
The West Ham man also has plenty of top-flight experience under his belt and should only get better considering his age, so bringing him in would be a no-brainer if the Tractor Boys are promoted at the end of the campaign.
He could even be a replacement for Davis if the ex-Leeds man departs Portman Road, with a number of Premier League teams including the Irons thought to be interested in him.
Johnson could end up being a crucial addition for Ipswich.
