Leeds United is reportedly showing interest in securing a loan deal for West Ham defender Ben Johnson during the January transfer window, as revealed by The Athletic. The Championship club is actively seeking a new right-back following the confirmed departure of Luke Ayling to Middlesbrough.
Johnson, a 23-year-old product of the Hammers academy, has experienced reduced playing time this season and is set to become a free agent in the summer. However, West Ham currently faces challenges approving such a deal due to their defensive depth issues, particularly exacerbated by the loan departure of Thilo Kehrer to Monaco, which includes a mandatory obligation-to-buy clause.
Although Johnson has faced fluctuations in form over the past year, his versatility to play across the back four positions makes him a valuable asset. While his primary position is at right-back, West Ham’s limited options in that position, with Vladimir Coufal being the sole senior choice, make it difficult to sanction his departure without securing an alternative.
Despite uncertainties about his long-term future at East London beyond this season, Johnson may remain with the team in the short term, especially after featuring in four of the last five games, unless there are significant changes over the next three weeks.