The Premier League club confirm that Leeds United’s ‘wonderful’ target will now leave for free

Meanwhile, it looks like Leeds will finally get Diego Llorente off the books four years after he joined the club. A loan move to Roma has failed to materialise, but Betis are ready to snap up the Spaniard for £5m.

Leeds have gone hard on their spending of late, selling Marc Roca to Betis and offloading Jack Harrison to Everton again on loan. Sonny Perkins has joined League One side Leyton Orient on a season-long loan.

But in terms of entry, very little is happening despite the Whites targeting and being linked with many names. One of them is a defender in the Premier League and there is an update:

West Ham’s decision on Leeds United target, now a free agent

Leeds will need one right back and possibly two this summer. Connor Roberts has already returned to Burnley, while Gray could still go with Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham.

Jamie Shackleton has been offered new terms at Leeds but looks set for a surprise switch to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. So a new right back is needed and Ben Johnson has been heavily linked.

Ipswich are said to be in advanced talks for Johnson, but Leeds’ interest has never waned. Now West Ham have confirmed that their ‘wonderful’ academy product will leave the club on a free transfer.

What a West Ham pundit told us about potential Johnson signing

On paper, Johnson is a top talent with England U21 caps and plenty of Premier League and European experience. A player who can occasionally play right back, left back or even in the middle of the park.

But speaking to Tony Martin on Hammers News, he said Johnson had been cheating for a while and failed to live up to expectations after breaking into the first team with huge potential a few years ago.

Martin said: “Maybe he could rekindle his career with you guys. The Championship is probably his level, if I’m honest I don’t think I’d want him playing for my team if they’re chasing promotion to the Premier League.”

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