West Ham have reportedly reached out in one last ditch attempt to get a deal over the line that many fans want.
Tim Steidten and West Ham’s owners have so much work to do this summer.
It is now highly likely they will be appointing a new manager with David Moyes expected to leave.
West Ham fans were buzzing yesterday when Sporting boss Ruben Amorim flew to London for talks.
It came after the club were also linked with the less universally popular Julen Lopetegui and Maurizio Sarri – to name but two.
Today reports emerged claiming that Amorim will not be the new West Ham manager next season. Although he has also since been ruled out of the running for Liverpool too.
Hammers facing major rebuild this summer
The Hammers now face a difficult situation. They need to get the manager in place before what is a massive squad rebuild.
And the last thing anyone wants is a long, protracted search for a new manager being played out in the press.
Especially as the club will need to make at least 10 new signings in the next transfer window – which opens on June 14th.
With 22 players, West Ham have the joint smallest squad in the Premier League along with Man City.
The Hammers’ squad is also the second oldest in the top flight.
West Ham reach out in last ditch attempt to get deal over the line
It is currently running three players short while the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Maxwel Cornet and Nayef Aguerd could be sold.
Add to that the fact SIX West Ham players are out of contract at the end of the season and you can see just how much work is needed.
Any players being retained or signed need to wanted by or at least suited to the system any new West Ham boss will be implementing.
Having enough players who tick the homegrown status rule box is also an issue for the club.
With all that in mind there has been a development regarding one current star who is soon to be out of contract.
West Ham have reached out in a last ditch attempt to get a deal over the line that many fans want.
While West Ham work to appoint a new manager, they appear to have decided contract rebel Ben Johnson will be useful to whoever is in charge next season.
Johnson had thus far refused to sign a new long-term deal with the the club.
Is Johnson good enough?
Talks have been off the table ever since The Athletic revealed the academy graduate had snubbed a six-and-a-half-year West Ham contract.
The Hammers have reportedly been reluctant to meet Johnson’s wage demands.
And the likes of Spurs and Villa have – rather unbelievably – been linked with him.
Johnson has struggled to establish himself in any position at West Ham.
But he has impressed in the odd cameo substitute appearance here and there this season.
Now according to The Mirror’s James Nursey, West Ham are making one final attempt to get Johnson to stay due to his versatility as a squad player.
He does, though, it is claimed, have interest from Championship trio Ipswich, Southampton and Leeds.
“The Irons are also set to make a last-ditch effort to keep Ben Johnson, 24, who is out of contract this July at the East London club,” Nursey states.
“Johnson has made 21 appearances all-told this term. But West Ham have not tied him down, cueing interest from promotion-chasing Championship trio lpswich, Southampton and Leeds.”
In the summer Moyes said he is ‘desperate’ to keep Johnson but admitted he has refused to sign a new deal.
It revealed earlier this season that the defender, who has been poor in his last few sub appearances following a brief spell impressing when coming on, wants West Ham to triple his wages to £60k.