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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jack Rosser

West Ham ward off Arsenal and Tottenham interest in starlet Ben Johnson with two-year contract extension

West Ham have taken up a two-year option in Ben Johnson's contract, extending his current deal to 2024.

Johnson's deal was set to expire at the end of the campaign and talks had been held over a potential fresh contract, but the club have elected to take up the additional two-year option which will see the academy graduate's wage rise this summer.

The full-back has established himself as a first-team figure this season and excelled for a spell earlier in the campaign during an injury to first-choice right-back Vladimir Coufal.

During that run in the side the 22-year-old shone in victories over Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea.

That run of form drew attention from outside of West Ham. London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have both kept a keen eye on his development, with Liverpool also impressed by his performance against them in West Ham's 3-2 victory at London Stadium.

Spurs manager Antonio Conte remains keen to add a right-wing back to his squad having failed to do so in the January window. The North Londoners signed Emerson Royal from Barcelona in the summer but the 23-year-old has disappointed so far this season.

Despite that interest, Johnson is very happy at the London Stadium and focused on securing his place in Moyes’s starting XI once again.

That chance could come this weekend when Wolves visit the Hammers. Coufal is out of form and missed last weekend's draw with Newcastle due to a hernia issue, meaning there could be an opening for Johnson to force his way back in. Moyes elected to start with Ryan Fredericks against the Magpies but the former Fulham man was booked early and replaced by Johnson at half-time following a poor showing.

Another sustained run of games for Johnson, who can also play at left-back or in midfield if required, could increase his chances of a first England Under-21s call-up next month, with the Three Lions coaches having monitored his progress.

Johnson is uncapped at youth level for England and faces competition from Southampton's Tino Livramento, Norwich City's Max Aarons and Nottingham Forest full-back Djed Spence, the latter of whom is also of interest to Arsenal and Tottenham.

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