Hammers extend star’s deal

West Ham have extended the contract of young defender Ben Johnson, per The London Evening Standard.

The club have triggered an option to extend his deal by two years, meaning that it now runs until 2024.

Johnson’s contract was set to expire at the end of the season but the triggering of this option will mean that his wages increase in the summer.

The Standard reports that he and his camp had been in talks with the club over a new contract but this option has been triggered instead.

The newspaper also makes the claim that his form this season has drawn admiring glances from other Premier League clubs, with both Arsenal and Spurs said to be keeping tabs on his development.

Johnson has made 19 first-team appearances this season, scoring in the Premier League win over Aston Villa back in October.

The 22-year-old will now be hoping to nail down that first-team spot, although he faces competition from both Vladimir Coufal and Ryan Fredericks.