Leeds United are acknowledged admirers of the West Ham player, but they will have tough competition.
Ben Johnson, a Leeds United target, will put regular football first this summer as he considers leaving West Ham United.
Johnson’s contract at the London Stadium expires at the end of this month, and the 24-year-old is anticipated to leave. He is also on the radar of other clubs in England and Europe. West Ham have made numerous attempts to keep the right-back on board, with new manager Julen Lopetegui believed to be interested in keeping his services.
According to recent sources, the Premier League club has offered a massive five-year contract in a desperate bid to prevent losing Johnson for free, but there will almost certainly be other offers to consider. According to Sky Sports, several Premier League and European clubs have met with the defender’s representation.
That would appear to put Leeds at the back of the queue for Johnson, considering the clear financial gap between them and top-tier clubs, but the story goes on to say that money will play no role in the full-back’s decision-making as he weighs all options. Instead, the certainty of regular football will be the deciding factor.
Johnson is certain to leave West Ham, having made only four Premier League starts under David Moyes last season, although it might also benefit Leeds when competing with financially superior alternatives. Crystal Palace and Rangers are both considered to be interested in a move, with the latter apparently holding talks, although they already have first-choice right-backs in Daniel Munoz and James Tavernier, respectively.
Leeds were interested in acquiring Johnson in January, and whether they will return this summer is unclear, but Daniel Farke presently has only Sam Byram as a natural right-back option, with that part of the pitch likely to be a top focus this summer. Archie Gray filled in admirably for much of the season, but if the 18-year-old is to stay at Elland Road, he is anticipated to move into his more natural central midfield role.
Connor Roberts has also returned to parent club Burnley following the end of his half-season loan stay, and while Leeds are believed to be interested in a return, it is uncertain whether Burnley would be ready to do business with a direct Championship promotion competitor. Luke Ayling was also released as a free agent and has since signed a two-year contract with Middlesbrough.
Byram played more games than many expected in his first season back at Leeds, following a strong pre-season in which he demonstrated his fitness to Farke, and activated a one-year contract extension after making a set amount of appearances. However, fitness difficulties did hamper the 30-year-old, and there is no prospect of a comparable amount of availability between now and May 2025.
Picking up someone like Johnson for free would be a smart business decision for Leeds, who need to strengthen this summer but have little financial room to do so. Chairman Paraag Marathe has previously conceded that one or two important sales will most likely proceed, while recruitment will need to be strategic.
