'Advanced talks' - West Ham next transfer emerges in blow to Leeds United and Rangers

West Ham are set to see full-back Ben Johnson quit the club for newly-promoted Premier League club Ipswich Town this summer in the latest piece of transfer action from the London Stadium.

The 24-year-old had been offered a five-year extension by the Hammers as his current deal comes to an end this summer but had proved somewhat of a contract rebel having stalled on putting pen to paper. News of those negotiations had been dragging on since last summer.

Earlier this month, it emerged that Johnson was prioritising an increase in playing time next season, rather than a wage increase. Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers were one club to be linked with a move for the defender early on while Championship side Leeds United had also been credited with interest.

Daniel Farke is in the market for a right-back this summer after Connor Roberts' return to Burnley. The club has triggered a one-year extension in Sam Byram's deal but the 30-year-old isn't thought to be seen as filling the starting berth every week.

However, it is the newly-promoted Tractor Boys who appear to have won Johnson over with the player keen to work under Kieran McKenna and stay in the top flight.

Sky Sports reported today: "Breaking transfer news from Ipswich Town, who are in advanced talks with Ben Johnson's representatives over signing the defender on a free transfer. His contract at West Ham is up at the end of the month, which is the end of the week, the club have offered him a five-year deal.

"The player wanted to assess all his options before making a final decision with career development as his primary motivation. He is now expected to join newly promoted Ipswich for the new season."

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Johnson is a product of the West Ham academy and has made 109 first team appearances for the club. His exit as a free agent presents a major lost opportunity for the club to cash in on homegrown talent.

The defender made just 14 Premier League appearances during the 2023/24 season as he struggled for game time under David Moyes. 10 of those were cameos from the bench.

Speaking last summer, former West Ham boss Moyes said: “Well I don’t want Ben to go, but we offered Ben a contract maybe a year and a half ago or so and we’ve not been able to get to any point of agreement on it.

“But he’s a great boy, I really like him, I really hope he stays. He came through the youth system at West Ham and we certainly wouldn’t want to lose him if we can help it. But football’s got another side to it, you know contracts etc and making sure people are looked after. I had a good conversation with Ben at the end of last season about it and we really do want him to stay.”