Premier League club willing to send ‘wonderful’ player to Leeds on loan if the 49ers pay a fee
A product of West Ham AcademyJohnson, whose contract expires at the end of the current campaign, saw just his ninth appearance of the year on Tuesday night. He replaced one player while West Ham was losing to Bristol City.
This week, it was reported that West Ham was trying to fetch a sum for Johnson, a player Stuart Pearce called “wonderful,” meaning Leeds would have to acquire him. That is in spite of the Spanish teams Betis and Villarreal’s interest.
Although Johnson is available for approach on a pre-contract basis, English clubs need to complete a deal with West Ham. Phil Hay, though, now claims that West Ham is open to loaning him out.
West Ham willing to send Ben Johnson to Leeds United on loan
Which is advantageous for Leeds since, according to Hay, the Whites would prefer to have the England U21 defender, at least initially, on a temporary basis. West Ham would require the payment of a borrowing fee in exchange for the privilege.
Leeds’ right backs are Archie Grey and Jamie Shackleton, while their left backs are Junior Firpo and Sam Byram. However, Grey is a natural midfielder, Shackleton has had injuries, and the other two are prone to injuries.
It’s crucial to sign a new left-back, but it would also be great to sign a guy who can play on either side. That dude is Johnson. It is unclear if Leeds and West Ham can agree on a loan price.
In related developments:
Following Ethan Ampadu’s summer transfer from Chelsea to Elland Road, Leeds United think they received a “really good deal,” according to Simon Johnson of The Athletic.
The 23-year-old has started every one of Leeds’ 30 games this season, including 27 in the Championship, as the Whites look to advance to the Premier League following their May relegation.
Having signed from Exeter City in 2017, Amapdu made just 12 senior appearances for the Blues and faced several loan spells away from Stamford Bridge. Leeds paid just £7 million for the midfielder in the summer and are reaping the rewards so far.
“It is difficult to refute Leeds’ sense of having received a great deal,” Johnson wrote on Wednesday, January 17, for The Athletic.
“Considering that Chelsea paid £23.5 million for Lesley Ugochukwu last summer, who hasn’t done much to justify that amount as of yet, one could wonder if they would have been better off giving Ampadu a chance instead.”
Plan for the future
When he arrived to Elland Road in the summer to join his Wales teammates Joe Rodon and Dan James, there were rumours that Leeds may be spending big money on a player who had been demoted by Sheffield United, Venezia, and Spezia in the previous three seasons.
However, after being given a lengthy run of games under Daniel Farke, the midfielder has finally demonstrated his ability in the championship. Even during Leeds’ 3-0 victory over Cardiff City, he filled in at centre back.
The 23-year-old has advanced to the FA Cup Fourth Round and is now in fourth place in the league thanks to his formidable connection in the middle of the park with former Rangers player Glen Kamara.
Leeds have secured a future midfield player for a pitiful £7 million, which is an incredible deal given his quantity of caps for his country. In addition to his 49 caps for Wales, he had appearances in the World Cup and the European Championship.
Ampadu will be Leeds’ key midfield player going forward, barring a team’s decision to poach him, which could happen at some point.
