Hammers to hurry up Johnson contract talks

CandH Exclusive by Hughie Southon

West Ham will be hurrying up talks on a new deal for Ben Johnson.

The 21 year old has been in fabulous form this season and to have held his place at right back against Aston Villa with a fit Vladi Coufal ready to return was extraordinary.

And it will be fascinating to see which of then pair the manager opts to play in the Europa League game against Genk in Belgium on Thursday night.

Such has been the form of the defender the Hammers are ready to start talks on a new deal very soon despite holding a two year option on the player whose current contract runs until June 2022.

A well placed insider told CandH: “We have a 2 year option, but we’ll talk before end of season and probably a lot sooner.”

Ben and Declan Rice have demonstrated the wisdom of investing in the academy at around £6-£7 million a year although players contracts can add substantially to the cost when many are professionals s for a few years, before failing to make it.