After spent the early part of the off-season fighting to keep Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town can now focus on the transfer market as they begin discussions with a potential acquisition.
Tractor Boys prepare for life in the Premier League
According to the most recent speculations from Portman Road, Ipswich are interested in signing a number of new defensive players. Hull City’s Jacob Greaves is one name connected with a move to the Tractor Boys, with the centre-back appearing certain to play Premier League football next season.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, a fellow centre-back, has joined Greaves on McKenna’s wishlist. The current Celtic player has piqued the curiosity of fellow top-flight clubs West Ham United and Fulham, implying that Ipswich may have to compete for the USA international.
With a defender firmly at the top of the Tractor Boys’ priority list, the club has entered the final phases of negotiations to sign a proven Premier League defender without paying any transfer money.
Ipswich enter advanced talks for English free agent
According to Sky Sports, Ipswich have begun advanced conversations with the representatives of free agent Ben Johnson. The 24-year-old was most recently with West Ham, although he turned down multiple contract offers to pursue more regular game time.
BREAKING: Ipswich Town are in advanced talks with Ben Johnson’s representatives over signing the West Ham defender on a free transfer 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ZJwGbdlUgg
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 25, 2024
Currently earning £20,000 a week, this would be the sole fee that the Tractor Boys would have to pay to receive their guy.
Johnson progressed through the West Ham junior system before making 109 senior appearances for the East London club. The right-back received the Hammers’ Young Player of the Season title in 2022 and was a member of the 2023 UEFA Conference League winning squad.
Johnson made only 14 Premier League games last season, but he shown that he was more than capable of producing at the top level. The fullback excelled as a progressive force, rating high in successful take-ons and progressive carries.
Despite struggling for consistent minutes at the London Stadium, Johnson has long been viewed as a valuable asset to his team. In October 2021, Johnson stood in for an injured Vladimír Coufal, and then-boss David Moyes praised the defender to the press.
“I actually thought young Ben Johnson, when you think that we’ve been with a couple of the right-backs recently, I think Ben Johnson has had three games this week, and I thought he was fabulous.”
With the Tractor Boys prepared for life in the Premier League, McKenna’s side could do a lot worse than find a player with proven top-flight talent and plenty of opportunity to grow.
