By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

24th Aug, 2023 | 9:09am

Sources: Southampton make contact over signing West Ham star Ben Johnson

Southampton have made enquiries to West Ham about a deal for defender Ben Johnson, sources have told Football Insider.

The Championship club are in the market for a full-back after selling Tino Livramento to Newcastle.

It is believed that Johnson figures highly on Southampton’s wanted list and contact has been made with West Ham about a potential deal.

The 23-year-old, who was an unused substitute in the Hammers’ opening two Premier League matches of the season, is out of contract in the summer of 2024.

He has previously rejected offers of a contract extension with the club.

The 23-year-old has spent all of his footballing career with the London club working his way through the academy before stepping up to the first team in 2020.

Last season Johnson made 29 appearances for David Moyes’ side across all competitions and was in the starting lineup for 21 of those outings.

The defender also featured in the group stages and quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League for the Hammers but was an unused substitute in the remaining games of their winning campaign.

The Saints are in need to reinforcements after losing Livramento to Newcastle in a deal worth a reported £32million.

The Chelsea academy product put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Magpies after a two-year spell at St Mary’s.

The right-back made his debut in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to reigning champions Man City, starting on the bench and making a four minute cameo.

In other news, Southampton submitting joint bid for Swansea duo to blow Leeds United out of the water.