A long-term Southampton transfer target will now be available for free this summer as his club confirm his departure upon the expiration of his contract.
Southampton are making very good use of the free agent market this summer, with manager Russell Martin keen to add Premier League experience to his squad.
The Saints have already acted to sign former player Adam Lallana for free after his Brighton deal ended and look set to add Brentford’s Saman Ghoddos and Charlie Taylor, both 30, to their ranks for no fee.
Fulham’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid could also join as he looks unlikely to sign up to new terms at the West London club and Newcastle United could facilitate Ryan Fraser’s Southampton move by terminating his contract.
Now, the Saints have been handed a boost in a bid to sign a player they have had their eye on for quite some time.
Southampton target Ben Johnson available for free
As well as Premier League experience, Martin is keen to add to his full-back options this summer.
Taylor’s arrival would do that at left-back, providing competition for Ryan Manning, but the number of right-back targets reported suggests the Southampton boss also wants at least one addition on the other side.
This may be because Martin does not feel James Bree is capable of making the step up, but of more concern is the fact Kyle Walker-Peters is linked with a summer move away from St Mary’s.
One potential destination is West Ham United, but it is the Hammers’ latest announcement that could be music to the ears of Southampton in their bid to sign a Walker-Peters replacement.
West Ham’s official ‘X’ account today confirmed long-term Saints target Ben Johnson will leave the club when his contract expires shortly.
West Ham posted: ‘West Ham United can confirm that Ben Johnson and Divin Mubama will leave the Club when their respective contracts expire.
We would like to thank both players for their hard work and commitment during their careers in Claret and Blue and wish them the very best in the future’.
David Moyes wanted West Ham to keep Southampton target Ben Johnson
Southampton have held interest in Johnson since Ralph Hasenhuttl was in charge.
His ability to play both right and left-back make Johnson an attractive prospect, with the 24-year-old even playing in central midfield at times last season.
David Moyes has been Johnson’s manager for the last four-and-a-half-years and, although Johnson never tied down a regular starting spot, the now-departed West Ham boss wanted to keep him at the club.
Speaking on Johnson in November 2021, Moyes was full of praise for the then-youngster as he said: “He’s a really important player for us. In the squad and the group he’s really important.
“Quite often we’ve brought him on and used him in different roles and he’s had a chance to have some games under his belt, he’s not let us down and scored a good goal in midweek.
“It’s good because it’s competition for Vladimir, and I’ve got Ryan Fredericks as well. I think at the moment Ben has done really, really well and stepped in at a period where we didn’t have either of the other two right backs available. He’s done as well as anybody.”
Southampton are not alone in their pursuit of Johnson, with Ipswich Town reportedly in ‘advanced talks’, but they now have their best chance of securing his signing.
If they can do that free then it will represent a really good piece of business ahead of a Premier League return.