Ipswich in advanced talks with West Ham defender Johnson

Ipswich Town are in advanced talks to sign West Ham defender Ben Johnson, the EADT and Ipswich Star understands.

The 24-year-old - who has made 69 appearances in the Premier League - is set to become a free agent on July 1.

The Athletic reported earlier this month that the Hammers had offered him a new and improved five-year deal, with the likes of Crystal Palace, Everton, Wolves, Southampton, Rangers and Leeds having all been linked to his signature at various stages.

On Sunday, the Daily Telegraph reported Ipswich's interest and today both ExWHUEmployee - an established West Ham news source on social media - and Sky Sports have said that talks are at an advanced stage, something we can corroborate.

Johnson is primarily a right-back - a position the Blues need to strengthen given Harry Clarke recently underwent Achilles surgery and Axel Tuanzebe may return to his preferred centre-back role.

He can also operate at left-back and in more advanced wide positions too, with Blues boss Kieran McKenna known to be be keen on his players having versatility.

Having made his Premier League debut at the age of 19, at Manchester City back in 2019, Johnson's breakthrough campaign came in 2020/21. Czech international Vladimir Coufal has been ahead of him in the pecking order though and he was limited to four Premier League starts last season.