This will come as good news to the Whites.
One Leeds United transfer target is expected to leave his current club for free, providing a boost for the 49ers Enterprises as they develop their summer plans at Elland Road.
Leeds transfer speculations
The Whites, who are back in the Championship’s automatic promotion spots after beating Middlesbrough on Monday, appear to be planning behind the scenes at Elland Road. Daniel Farke’s side can put more pressure on Ipswich Town with another away win against Queens Park Rangers on Friday, and a number of players have been linked with a move to Yorkshire.
For example, former Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is wanted back on loan, while former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi’s agency have been contacted. Those two goals appear to be based on Leeds’ expectation of returning to the Premier League at the first opportunity, while West Ham United right-back Ben Johnson has also been connected.
Leeds held talks with the defender over a move to Yorkshire in January, and reports in recent weeks suggest that they may reconsider their interest in replacing loanee Connor Roberts. Everyone at Elland Road has received a boost in their efforts to sign Johnson.
Ben Johnson Transfer Update
According to Football Insider, Johnson will depart West Ham on a free transfer this summer after turning down several offers from the club. According to reports, the 24-year-old, who has made over 100 appearances for the Irons, ‘wants to take advantage of his free-agent status in the forthcoming window following the expiry of his contract’.
According to the article, Johnson’s adaptability is ‘highly valued by clubs in the Premier League and the top end of the Championship’. This season, the £20,000-per-week defender has played right back, center back, left back, right midfielder, and left midfielder.
David Moyes had previously praised Johnson, saying in 2021, “I’m genuinely thrilled for Ben. He’s a bit of a utility guy for us and has been around for a long. He’s an extremely crucial player for us. He plays a key role in the squad and group. We’ve regularly brought him on and utilized him in different places, and he’s got the opportunity to play some games; he didn’t disappoint and scored a good goal in midweek.”
Along with Leeds, Aston Villa, Everton, Wolves, and Tottenham Hotspur are all thought to be interested in Johnson, while Crystal Palace has expressed confidence in signing the defender, and Rangers have been mentioned in the most recent Football Insider update.
The Whites may struggle to obtain a move, but it is encouraging that Johnson will be available for free this summer, perhaps taking over as first-choice right-back at Elland Road, allowing Archie Gray to play more in his preferred midfield role going forward.
