The West Ham star will make a key decision on his future amid links to Leeds United

West Ham defender Ben Johnson will decide on his future next week amid links to Leeds United.

The full-back spent his entire football career at West Ham after joining the club as a seven-year-old in 2007, before rising through the ranks of the club’s famous academy.

He signed his first professional contract when he turned 18 in January 2018 and made his debut 13 months later against Manchester City.

Despite being highly regarded at the Hammers, Johnson has struggled to nail down a regular starting place in the Premier League side – with Vladimir Coufal the main barrier to entry.

Of his 109 appearances to date, 70 have been as a starter and this season he has played just 22 times in all competitions – and 15 of those have come from the bench.

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A lack of game time has prompted Johnson to withdraw from his contract at the London Stadium, with the 24-year-old set to become a free agent next month.

In January, Leeds were very keen to sign the right-back in their bid to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, and by the start of April interest had grown from Southampton and Ipswich Town, along with Daniel Farke’s men.

Earlier last month, TEAMtalk revealed that the east London outfit had tabled another contract bid to try and keep him at the club, but yet another deal eluded them.

Despite West Ham’s efforts to tie him down to a new deal – which, fittingly The Athleticincluded a new five-year contract – Johnson could be out of the club within weeks, with Crystal Palace and Rangers also interested.

Ben Johnson is closing in on the West Ham decision

Now, Football Insider claims the former England Under-21 international will decide on his next move in just days.

The report adds that Johnson is “keeping his options open,” with his decision based on where he can best progress and develop his overall game.

Incidentally, former Manchester United defender Paul Parker – who is Johnson’s cousin – believes he needs to move on from West Ham – but moving on from the only club he has ever known can be difficult.

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Back when manager David Moyes was still in charge, he said: “I don’t think he can stay there to be honest. It’s obvious at the moment that the manager (David Moyes) isn’t looking at him.

“There were clubs that came for him so I think he has to move on and he has to change clubs to get regular football.

“He doesn’t want to leave West Ham as his life has been from a young age, but sometimes you can’t let your heart rule your head.

“If you don’t go and take advantage of an opportunity and stay at a club where it doesn’t work, you can end up with a lot of regrets for the rest of your life.”