Leeds United are currently working hard in trying to get players out of the door and complying with Profit & Sustainability Rules, but a heavily-linked target is now officially a free agent.
Leeds might have rejected a bid worth £40m for Archie Gray despite the player travelling to London on Saturday evening to do a medical. The Whites still need a sale to comply with Profit & Sustainability rules.
Meanwhile, it looks as if Leeds will finally get Diego Llorente off the books four years after he joined the club. A move to loan side Roma has not materialised, but Betis are set to get the Spanish player for £5m.
Leeds have worked hard on outgoings of late, selling Marc Roca to Betis and offloading Jack Harrison to Everton on loan again. Sonny Perkins has joined League One side Leyton Orient on a season-long loan.
But in terms of incoming, very little is happening despite The Whites targeting and being linked with many names. One of those is a defender in the Premier League, and there is an update:
West Ham decision on Leeds United target, now a free agent
Leeds are going to need a right-back and possibly two this summer. Connor Roberts has already returned to Burnley, while Gray could still go with Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham keen.
Jamie Shackleton had been offered new terms at Leeds but he looks set for a surprise switch to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. So, a new right-back is needed and Ben Johnson has been strongly linked.
Ipswich are said to be in advanced talks for Johnson but Leeds’ interest has never subsided. Now, West Ham have confirmed that their “wonderful” academy product will be leaving the club on a free transfer.
What a West Ham expert told us about potential signing Johnson
On paper, Johnson is a top talent with England U21 caps and plenty of Premier League and European experience. A player that can play right-back, left-back or even in the middle of the park on occasion.
But speaking to Tony Martin at Hammers News, he said that Johnson has deceived for a while and failed to live up to expectation having broken into the first team with enormous potential a few years ago.
Martin said: “Perhaps he could rekindle his career with you guys. The Championship is probably his level, if I’m honest, I don’t think I’d want him playing for my team if chasing promotion to the Premier League.”