Rangers in hot pursuit for transfer as four-year contract offered to Ben Johnson
Rangers, Leeds United and Crystal Palace want to sign Ben Johnson after he rejected a four-year deal at West Ham, according to the Athletic.
The news outlet reported on 15 May that it wasn’t the only offer made by the London club, but the 24-year-old ended up rejecting all of them.
The full-back is set to leave the Hammers after spending 17 years at the club, right from when he was a seven-year-old.
The report reads: “Johnson is set to leave when his contract expires in June. Rangers, Crystal Palace and Leeds United are interested in signing the 24-year-old, who has rejected multiple contract offers from West Ham. Their most recent offer was a four-year package, but both parties failed to reach an agreement. Johnson has received limited game time this season, with Coufal the first-choice right-back.”
Rangers must sign Ben Johnson on a free transfer
Johnson’s versatility and defensive capabilities make him an ideal long-term replacement for James Tavernier at Ibrox and the fact that his contract is running out means he could be an economical acquisition as well.
Tavernier, now 32, has shown signs of decline, particularly in his defensive responsibilities, which have been exposed in recent times.
The 24-year-old Johnson, on the other hand, is entering the prime of his career and brings a fresh perspective to the right-back position.
His ability to play across the back line not only provides Philippe Clement with much-needed cover with Borna Barisic on his way out but also offers the flexibility to adapt to different tactical approaches.
Johnson’s defensive acumen is particularly crucial for Gers as they have struggled at times to maintain a solid defensive structure.
His experience playing in the Premier League and Europe with West Ham will be invaluable, as he has faced some of the best attackers in the world.
In addition to his defensive qualities, Johnson possesses the technical and physical attributes necessary to succeed in Scottish football and he was even called “excellent” by Gary Neville a few seasons ago.
His pace, stamina and ability to contribute to the attack down the right flank make him a perfect fit for Gers’ system.
In other Gers news, a first-team player may be told to empty out his Ibrox locker soon as a ‘Major Development’ has emerged behind the scenes.
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