At one stage it appeared that Rangers were about to blown out the Premier League water when it came to Ben Johnson.
The West Ham defender – who can play as a right-back or a centre-back – was named as a Rangers target with his contract ticking down in east London.
Rangers have in fact been routinely mentioned alongside the 24-year-old defender with the first links stretching as far back as January.
But amid reports Ben Johnson wanted a lucrative salary – some outlets suggesting as much as £60k per week – needless to say a switch to Rangers looked ambitious to say the least.
Well, until now.
Johnson call not ‘financially motivated’
One leading broadcaster south of the border has claimed that it’s playing time and a shot at glory which motivates our Ben, and not the chance of a bumper paycheque.
Writing on their Live Transfer Centre on Friday 14th June, Sky Sports explained that Ben Johnson will take his time before making a call on his next move.
Reiterating claims that there is a five-year contract offer on the table from West Ham, Sky Sports believe that a number of clubs around Europe and the Premier League have expressed an interest in the out-of-contract defender.
But interestingly Sky have also suggested that the chance to play regular football, and not a lucrative payday, is at the forefront of Johnson’s thinking.
“It’s understood his final decision will not be financially motivated,” reads the post. “At 24, he wants to play regularly and develop his game.”
Rangers target staying in London?
This news obviously balances the transfer scales when it comes to those links to Rangers.
Where the Gers can’t offer Premier League millions they can offer the chance of silverware, legacy and Champions League football.
But this talk of regular football is interesting when considering the options Rangers already have in the squad.
Club captain James Tavernier is the club’s first choice right-back, whilst the position is backed up by versatile ex-Chelsea star Dujon Sterling.
As far as right-sided centre-backs go, Rangers currently have Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Leon Balogun available in the position.
The latter has just signed a new one-year deal.
Rangers fans too will note claims from journalist Dean Jones who believes Ben Johnson ‘looks set to stay’ at West Ham.
Having just appointed Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui, the journalist has claimed that the defender looks increasingly likely to stay with the Hammers after snubbing Crystal Palace.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claims that ‘things have slowly started to turn in West Ham’s favour’ in a clear blow to Rangers’ ambitions.
Ben Johnson is one of a number of defensive names linked to Rangers this summer with the club already adding left-sided AC Milan centre-back Clinton Nsiala to their ranks.
