Ipswich Town are now set to beat Leeds United to the signing of a long-time linked defensive signing.
The Tractor Boys pipped Leeds to automatic promotion at the beginning of May and are clearly looking to flex their Premier League financial muscle in the transfer market.
With the window having been open for almost two weeks, Leeds and Ipswich have been linked with a lot of the same targets.
Joe Rodon, Nat Phillips and Ben Johnson are just some of the players who are seemingly on the radar of both.
However, with the lure of both Premier League money and football, it is certainly going to be difficult for Leeds to convince players to move to Elland Road, as shown last summer when newly promoted Sheffield United won the race to sign both Cameron Archer and Gustavo Hamer.
Ipswich in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Leeds target Ben Johnson
Defence is certainly going to be a big priority for Leeds once they start really moving on bringing in some players this summer.
With Connor Roberts and Rodon both having returned to their parent clubs, Liam Cooper’s future up in the air and Charlie Cresswell wanted in Europe, they are looking very short at the back.
Leeds are interested in re-signing Roberts to address the right-back spot but another player they have been linked with signing is West Ham’s Ben Johnson.
Johnson has been on the radar ever since the January window when Leeds wanted him on loan, but a deal never materialised.
Leeds have maintained their interest in the 24-year-old this summer with his contract due to expire at West Ham, who had offered him a new five-year-deal in a last-gasp attempt to keep him.
However, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, Ipswich are now set to win the race for Johnson with talks at an advanced stage.
Clearly the lure of remaining in the Premier League where he can play regular football is what has swung the advantage in Ipswich’s favour, ahead of other interested clubs.
Ipswich also keen to beat Leeds in Nat Phillips race
As mentioned previously, a lot of the targets on the two clubs’ shortlists are overlapping this summer.
Not only are Ipswich set to sign Johnson and keen to win the race for Rodon, but they are also eyeing a move for Liverpool’s Nat Phillips.
Phillips was linked with a move to Leeds several weeks ago regardless of the division they ended up in, which, of course, is the Championship.
However, Ipswich have also joined the race for the 27-year-old and with a valuation of £8 million, it would not be a surprise if he ended up at Portman Road.