Everton want West Ham defender Ben Johnson on deadline day as Sean Dyche gets to work
Everton want West Ham defender Ben Johnson on deadline day after Sean Dyche was finally appointed on Monday, Sami Mokbel reports.
The 22-year-old right-back has been in and out of the Hammers side this season as they have struggled almost as badly as the Toffees, but has barely featured in the Premier League since the return from the World Cup.
There are however doubts over whether the Premier League club will be willing to let him go before the end of the window.
Speaking in a clip posted on Twitter late on Tuesday morning (31 January), Daily Mail journalist Mokbel said: “Sean Dyche was appointed as their new manager yesterday and he’s barely had 24 hours to get to grips with the transfer market.
“They desperately need signings, we know that, they’re in grave danger of being relegated.
“What we understand today is they’re in for West Ham’s right back Ben Johnson.
“There is some debate however over whether West Ham are willing to let him go, or let any players go this month.”
Dyche starts
It perhaps should be no surprise that as soon as the former Burnley boss is through the door the club are now looking at signings who might not get fans overly excited as the deadline approaches but could be important, notwithstanding the eye catching attempt for Conor Gallagher on his first day in charge.
Nathan Patterson’s injury has helped to derail a backline that was for a good portion of the season one of the Premier League’s best.
But as the form disappeared under Frank Lampard the unit has struggled and despite the presence of club captain Seamus Coleman the club clearly feel they need more cover at the position.
They reportedly made an offer to sign Hector Bellerin from Barcelona but were turned down by the player [SPORT, 20 January], and with Johnson lacking regular football at the London Stadium he might be more well disposed to it.
But there will of course be a difficulty in signing a player from a relegation rival at this point in the season, with both clubs in danger.
Johnson is versatile enough to play at left-back and centre-back so would provide valuable cover at a number of positions, and shouldn’t be overly expensive if it is possible to sign him at all, so could be a sensible one if Everton can get it done.