Exclusive By Hughie Southon

West Ham are unworried about hold-ups in talks with Ben Johnson’s advisers over a new deal.

As is always the case snags arise when players reach regular first team level but the club have a two year option on the versatile player anyway.

Johnson comes to the end of his current contract in the summer but the club are continuing talks and will exercise their option anyway.

Ben – having come through the academy – is believed to be keen to continue his Hammers career unlike Jeremy Ngakia who left for Watford once he had broken through.

A key Hammers source told Claretandhugh: “There are no immediate concerns and talks will continue in the summer but we have a two year option on Ben anyway.”

The player is listed as being represented by CAA Base and he signed his last deal with the Hammers in 2019 with no complications with the club confident a new long term deal will be done regardless.