West Ham’s decision to extend Ben Johnson’s contract by the two year option means one thing – they have been unable to agree a new long term deal with the player’s representatives.
We reported a few weeks ago, having spoken to a key insider. that his agents were becoming ” difficult” and it appears that little has changed following today’s news that he will remain at the London Stadium on the basis of the two year option.
Like Declan Rice before him, talks will continue between his side and the club as a suitable deal is sought with a fresh round pf discussions likely to be held towards the end or the season or later in the summer.
Johnson has become the second member of the youth programme to break into the first team squad as the club see investment in that are paying dividends with Grady Diangana of course fetching a transfer fee of £18 million from West Brom.
But they will be aiming to agree at least a four year stay for the right back when talks resume.
Hope I’m wrong, but doesn’t the impasse with the agents indicate he will leave the club for a bigger contract in 2 years..?
Having seen Ben play over the last 2 seasons, he not that ‘quick’ for a wing-back’, I just wonder if a move to Defensive CM might prove beneficial?
It also means that Fredericks will be released..
If we keep putting Fredericks and Masuaku ahead of Johnson and Ashby we might see a number of our talented kids looking to be away. We like to be the Academy but the fact is that Liverpool, Arsenal, Spuds, Man U have all brought through more youngsters than us. We just don’t give them any sub-time even.
2 years is better than “I’m not signing yet”.