Real Betis and Villarreal tipped to launch surprise bids for West Ham defender Johnson

A pair of La Liga clubs are expressing a keen interest in the signature of West Ham United defender Ben Johnson.

That’s according to English outlet TEAMtalk, who have this evening provided an update on the future of the talented right-back.

Johnson, for his part, is currently out of favour at West Ham, under the watch of David Moyes.

With his current terms at the London Stadium due to expire in the summer, a number of clubs are in turn understood to have identified the 23-year-old as a potential bargain opportunity on the market.

In England, all of Leeds United, Southampton, and Sheffield United have been tipped to land Johnson this month.

But TEAMtalk point towards Spain as another potential landing spot, amid interest on the part of both Villarreal, and Real Betis.

Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini, who previously oversaw Johnson’s development during his own time with West Ham, is said to be a keen admirer of the talents boasted by the stopper.

Villarreal, meanwhile, are currently scouring the English market for opportunities, with Johnson having been earmarked as a potential low-risk, high-upside signing.

Both clubs are in turn ready to open talks with the Hammers youth product, over the terms of a pre-contract agreement for the summer.

Conor Laird | GSFN