ExWHUemployee has revealed that West Ham United are delaying contract talks with defender Ben Johnson until the summer due to a possible concern over his demands.
Still only 22 years of age, the young right-back has already established himself as a regular for the Premier League club, having made over 70 first-team appearances.
With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2024 (as per Transfermarkt), it’s coming to the stage where West Ham will soon look to renew in order to keep him at the Irons for the long term.
However, while both parties seem to agree that he deserves a pay rise, it looks as though the exact value of that increase could be an issue of contention, and so contract talks have been delayed for the time being.
While speaking on The West Ham Way Podcast, Ex outlined his full understanding of the current situation.
He said: “Ben Johnson is another one who whilst we’ve got a couple of years on his contract, he hasn’t signed a new deal. The problem with him is similar to what was with the other players – it is that he believes he should be getting a first-team wage now, which the club are prepared to offer him, but as a young first-teamer that’s not established yet.
“So whilst it would be more than what they’re prepared to offer [Harrison] Ashby, obviously, because Johnson’s more established, when Johnson looks at the likes of [Aaron] Cresswell and [Vladimir] Coufal and other competitors for his position, he thinks his wage should be in line with them.
“Whereas the club believe that his wage should be that of a young player still trying to establish themselves in the team. So the club have decided that negotiations will be postponed until the summer to try and clear up his situation.”
TIF Thoughts on Ben Johnson and West Ham…
Ex alludes to the case of Harrison Ashby, who looks as though he will soon leave the club for Newcastle United when his contract expires.
No doubt, the Hammers won’t want to lose another talented defensive prospect for nothing, so this could give them an extra incentive to hand Johnson more favourable terms.
Even so, it seems as if they aren’t in any rush to hand out a big new deal for the 22-year-old just yet. Johnson has played seven times in the league so far this season, and perhaps he has until the end of the campaign to truly prove his worth to the club.
If he can shine over the coming months and make himself invaluable to David Moyes, perhaps his demands will be met. For now, though, his future seems potentially up in the air.
Should West Ham give Ben Johnson a big new contract?
Yes
No
