Rangers are now interested in signing West Ham United defender Ben Johnson but face competition from Leeds United and Real Betis.
Philippe Clement will surely want Rangers to be active in the final couple of weeks of the January transfer window.
Rangers have only signed Fabio Silva so far this month and Clement will have targets in mind ahead of the transfer deadline.
We have seen a number of left backs linked with Rangers of late but a versatile defender is now emerging on the rumour mill.
Rangers reportedly interested in signing West Ham United’s Ben Johnson
The Daily Mail now claim that Rangers are interested in snapping up Ben Johnson from West Ham United.
It’s claimed that Rangers are monitoring the situation of Johnson, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
The Hammers will want a fee for Johnson and are thought to have received a number of enquiries for his signature.
Johnson has only made two Premier League appearances this season and is now thought to have stalled on signing any of the new contract proposals West Ham have put forward.
Leeds United and Sheffield United are interested too, meaning Rangers face competition for the 23-year-old defender.
Johnson joined West Ham at the age of just seven and has progressed up through the Hammers ranks.
Primarily a right back, Johnson also has history of playing at left back and even centre back if required.
A utility player like Johnson is always welcome but we would rather see Rangers sign a specialist left back.
Johnson does though fit the bill for Rangers in that his contract comes to an end in just a matter of months.
Rangers pounced to sign Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell in January of last year with both players heading towards the end of their contracts.
Johnson could be a bargain addition for Rangers but it’s difficult to imagine him displacing James Tavernier or starting regularly at left back.
Maybe Rangers see Johnson as a centre back or simply see him as a great opportunity; a player who can play multiple positions for years to come and won’t break the bank.
