Ben Johnson rejected a six-and-a-half-year contract offer from West Ham before the club extended his current deal until 2024.
The right-back's display against Wolves was perhaps an indication of why West Ham were keen to tie him down on such a long deal. However, football.london understands that Johnson was only prepared to agree a contract until 2026.
With no agreement reached between the two sides, the Hammers have taken up the option of a two-year extension that was written into his current deal.
The academy graduate has become a valuable member of the West Ham first-team squad since making his debut in 2019 and is set for another lengthy run in the starting XI after Vladimir Coufal underwent surgery last week on a groin injury.
Johnson was overlooked in the previous Premier League game against Newcastle United but with Ryan Fredericks struggling that day and picking up his own groin injury, Johnson was called upon and made an immediate impact.
The defender was given the nod against Wolves and was one of a number of stand-out performers in David Moyes' side.
"I thought Ben did well," said Moyes. "He has a lot to do and potential to step up. He got us forward, crossed it and had a couple of brilliant tackles. He did a really good job, especially in the first half he did well going forward and joining in and being part of the attacks."
Moyes added: "Ben has a lot of potential and we want him to keep improving."
With Coufal and Fredericks both out, and the promising Harrison Ashby also sidelined with a hamstring issue, Johnson is set for a busy March. West Ham have six matches in 18 days, with action coming in the FA Cup, Premier League and most excitingly the Europa League.
Johnson has started two matches for West Ham in European competition, helping his team to clean sheets against Rapid Vienna and Genk in the group stages, but with a tie against Sevilla on the horizon, Johnson is again going to be asked to step up to the next level.
So far he has risen to every challenge handed down to him by Moyes and few would bet against him doing so again next month.
