Everton signal Ben Johnson transfer intentions with Seamus Coleman new contract
Any chance of Everton pursuing a transfer for West Ham United defender Ben Johnson this summer may have just evaporated into thin air upon the signing of Seamus Coleman’s new contract.
The Toffees confirmed via their official club website on Thursday (29 June) that Coleman, 34, would extend his stay on Merseyside for another year, his 15th as an Everton player.
Such a move may hint towards Sean Dyche’s priorities in the summer transfer window and that attacking reinforcements, rather than defensive recruitments, could be the order of the day.
ExWHUEmployee had previously reported (29 June) on his Patreon account that the Hammers defender Johnson was on the club’s radar this summer as questions started arising about his position at the London Stadium.
The defender, who can play either as a centre-back or more predominantly at right-back, is reportedly refusing to sign a new deal in East London and was also a target for Dyche on the January transfer deadline day. [Sami Mokbel, 21 January]
However, with Coleman now signing a new contract at Goodison Park and Nathan Patterson also within the first-team ranks, any chance of a transfer is now looking slim.
Everton have several alternative areas they will wish to prioritise this summer in a big summer overhaul, with at least one striker and another creative player required to increase the club’s terrible goal record of just 34 strikes from 38 games from last term.
If the likes of Jordan Pickford or Amadou Onana were to leave this summer, subsequent replacements would also be required.
With Dyche shopping on a shoestring budget this summer amid the club’s Financial Fair Play issues, and his first-team squad already bloated, a move for Johnson always looked a little far-fetched.
Coleman putting pen to paper in a contract extension looks like the final nail in the coffin for this potential transfer.
In other Everton news, the Toffees want to sign a “prized asset” from Leeds United amid a likely Elland Road “exodus” this summer.