Ipswich Town 'in advanced talks' to sign Leeds United, Everton and Southampton transfer target

The 24-year-old, a product of the Hammers academy, will be out of contract in the coming days if he does not perform a U-turn and pen a fresh deal at West Ham.

In recent months, he has been linked with a raft of clubs with Leeds among those said to be keen. However, it appears the Whites could be set to miss out on the former England under-21 international.

According to the East Anglian Daily Times, Premier League newcomers Ipswich are in talks about taking Johnson to Portman Road. Discussions are said to be at an advanced stage, in a potential blow to West Ham following reports they had had offered an improved five-year deal.

Sign up to our new Sports Editor’s TeamTalk newsletter available this week

Leeds are not the only club to have been credited with interest in Johnson, who can operate at full-back, centre-back or in midfield. Everton and Southampton have been linked, as have the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A right-back by trade, Johnson was said to be on Leeds’ radar when the Whites were in the market to bolster their right-back department. Luke Ayling had left for Middlesbrough and Djed Spence’s loan had been brought to an abrupt end.

Leeds eventually recruited Connor Roberts on loan from Burnley, although teenage midfielder Archie Gray continued to regularly occupy the right-back slot.