Crystal Palace and West Ham United are reportedly keen on Stoke City defender Glen Johnson.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic and Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce
According to The Sun, Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce is interested in snapping up Stoke City full back Glen Johnson this summer – and is ready to rival West Ham United for his signature.
Johnson, 32, may have been called up by England boss Gareth Southgate back in October, but he’s actually endured a frustrating Premier League season.
With just 16 Premier League starts to his name, Johnson has been in and out of Mark Hughes’ side – and that amount of appearances allegedly isn’t enough to trigger a new contract extension.
The Sun report that Johnson could now walk away from Stoke on a free transfer this summer, and two Premier League clubs are allegedly keen – Crystal Palace and West Ham United
It’s stated that Palace boss Sam Allardyce was another experienced right back to challenge with Joel Ward, and he’s identified Johnson as the ideal target if available for free.
However, Allardyce will have to battle former club West Ham for his signature, with manager Slaven Bilic still keen on Johnson having allegedly attempted to re-sign him in January.
Stoke City’s Glen Johnson in action with Burnley’s Scott Arfield
Johnson started his career with West Ham at the age of nine, and having progresses through the ranks with the East London club, he earned a big money move to Chelsea in 2003.
A return to West Ham could make some sense, with manager Bilic seemingly keen to land another experienced right back to challenge with Sam Byram after Alvaro Arbeloa’s became the forgotten man at the London Stadium.
Veteran right backs such as Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna have also been linked with the Hammers, but Johnson making a return would certainly make sense, especially on a free transfer – if they can beat Allardyce to his signature.
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