Report: Southampton want to sign 24-year-old PL player who Ledley King has recommended to Tottenham

As the season nears its conclusion, clubs will be evaluating their summer transfer alternatives.

Even if the league Southampton will play in is still up in the air, they are not different from other teams.

Currently ranked fourth in the Championship, Russell Martin’s team is assured a spot in the playoffs.

They do, however, still have a remote possibility of earning automatic promotion with a few games left.

Regardless of the tier Southampton is in, Martin will have an idea of the areas he feels he has to strengthen before the next season, even though it is challenging to prepare for the future with so much uncertainty.

According to sources, Southampton is considering a deal for a Premier League player with whom they have previously been associated.

Ben Johnson could be moving to Southampton

Ben Johnson of West Ham United is that player.

In the summer, the 24-year-old’s contract expires. He rejected down a six-year contract from his present club in February, according to The Athletic, and it appears like he will most likely leave.

The full-back has been linked to Southampton in the past because of his versatility, which has shown at times this season in his ability to play in midfield and as a central defender.

The England under-21 international is being watched by a number of teams, including promotion rivals Leeds United, Ipswich Town, and Crystal Palace, according to a Sunday Mirror story published on Sunday, April 21, page 71. Despite this, the Saints have continued to show interest in Johnson.

Although David Moyes, the manager of West Ham, was reported by James Nursery to be “keen to hold on to the versatile defender,” it now looks that Johnson has chosen to look for regular first-team play elsewhere.

Johnson, a Southampton target, is wanted by Ledley King at Tottenham.

Right-back is Johnson’s preferred position, although Southampton presently has James Bree and Kyle Walker-Peters as alternatives.

Beyond this season, Walker-Peters’ future is very much in doubt.

After being included in the EFL Championship Team of the Season, the 27-year-old was once again linked to a move to Chelsea in January. This summer, transfer rumours are expected to resurface.

Even the most upbeat Saints supporters understand that Walker-Peters won’t play for Southampton the next season if the team doesn’t get promoted.

Johnson is unlikely to drop down to the Championship this summer with the offers he has on the table, so this transfer probably also depends on promotion.

Tottenham, West Ham’s London rivals, are also interested, which may come as a surprise since Johnson has only managed to make four Premier League starts this season, according to Transfermarkt.

In preparation for the upcoming season, the North London team wants to bolster their full-back depth. According to FootballTransfers.com, Spurs great Ledley King has personally suggested Johnson to the team for which he made 323 appearances.

Although King would not have recommended Johnson for the position if he did not think he was capable of doing so, their familial relationship may have played a role in the suggestion.

It will be difficult for Southampton to persuade Johnson to relocate to the south coast given the high level of interest in the defender.

But if Walker-Peters did go in the summer, Martin could provide Johnson with the regular football game he so much wants, guaranteed.

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