Premier League

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Ipswich Town have signed defender Ben Johnson on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old, who left West Ham upon his contract expiring, has agreed a four-year deal.

Johnson made 109 appearances for the Hammers and was part of the group to win the Europa Conference League in 2023.

“Ben is a player who fits the profile we like to bring to the club,” manager Kieran McKenna told the Ipswich website.

“He is a young and talented defender with good technical quality, as well as excellent physical attributes.

“Ben also has a good amount of Premier League experience for his age and he is hungry to take the next step in his career. We feel this is a good move for him and he is an excellent addition for the club.

“Everyone who has worked with him speaks highly of his character, so we’re sure he will fit into the dressing room and our environment and culture.”

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky has left Ipswich following the expiration of his contract.

The Czech, 33, featured in every game for in last season’s promotion-winning campaign.

What are your thoughts on Ipswich's business so far? Tell us here, external

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Chelsea have made a move to sign Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who Brighton are also interested in.

Albion are keen to sign Dewsbury-Hall in a cash-plus-player swap deal involving Poland midfielder Jakub Moder.

Moder is ready to switch but there are concerns that Chelsea's enquiry, made on Thursday, could cause Dewsbury-Hall to reject the move to the south coast.

Chelsea believe they would be the preferred choice for the 25-year-old, particularly as they can offer the chance to link up with manager Enzo Maresca, who joined the Blues this summer after delivering Leicester's Championship title and promotion to the Premier League last season.

The situation is complicated further by Dewsbury-Hall's general reluctance to leave his boyhood club, who he joined when he was eight.

In an interview with BBC Sport this week, Dewsbury-Hall said: "I have been here since I was a kid. I love everything about the club. I grew up and managed to play in the first team. I am happy.

"I have never said I am actively wanting to leave. That sort of stuff is not up to me. You never know with football - the season is about to start, so we will see."

The Foxes, who hired Steve Cooper to succeed Maresca, are in a poor position under the Premier League profit and sustainability rules and it is thought they need to sell the academy graduate to satisfy the regulations.

Brentford are also reportedly interested in Dewsbury-Hall.

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Representatives from Everton's prospective new owners have visited the city of Liverpool this week as they continue their due diligence on the club.

A team from the US-based Friedkin Group have been to Goodison Park, the new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock and the club's offices as their takeover edges closer.

BBC Sport understands chairman Dan Friedkin, who owns Roma, and son Ryan, president of French club Cannes, were not in attendance.

Last week, the Friedkin Group were granted a period of exclusivity by Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri as they aim to purchase the British-Iranian businessman's 94% stake in Everton.

The due diligence process involves a thorough, forensic analysis of the business to see how resilient it is and whether the group still want to proceed to complete the deal.

Although a majority purchase of the club is still not guaranteed, BBC Sport understands there is cautious optimism that it remains on track and completion can be achieved within a timescale of weeks rather than months.

They have already taken steps by making a £200m cash injection which includes paying off a £158m loan and contributing to short-term running costs.

The Friedkin Group will analyse the club's finances as well as examining the legal side including contracts that the club have signed, sponsorship deals and cost of the new stadium.

On the sporting side, the firm will assess the strength of the squad and the training ground to see what sort of investment needs to be made.