Spurs could finally repeat their Carrick masterclass with "sensational" £5m-rated star - opinion

Tottenham have been handed a boost in their chase to sign West Ham defender Ben Johnson in the summer transfer window.

According to The Athletic, the 22-year-old has turned down a new six-year deal to remain at the London Stadium, with both Antonio Conte’s side and fellow Premier League outfit Liverpool currently monitoring his situation.

One of the big success stories of a West Ham to Spurs move, was of course Michael Carrick.

The England international made the switch in the summer of 2004, with reports even suggesting that rivals Arsenal were also keeping an eye on developments.

Carrick would go onto make 75 appearances for the club before they sold him to Manchester United for around £18.6m a couple of years later.

Indeed, speaking after his signing, Spurs’ then-director of football Frank Arnesen raved: “Michael is a big English talent and we’re very pleased to sign him, particularly at his young age.”

Arnesen’s description of Carrick is exactly applicable to Johnson now, and it’s no surprise why the Lilywhites are after the Hammers dynamo.

The youngster, who West Ham insider ExWHUemployee dubbed a “sensational” talent, appears to have a very high ceiling, and it’s something about which David Moyes, his manager at the London Stadium, David Moyes, has waxed lyrical.

Speaking after last week’s 1-0 win over Wolves, the Hammers boss said: “I thought Ben did well. He has a lot to do and potential to step up. He got us forward, crossed it and had a couple of brilliant tackles. He defended when he had to and did a really good job, especially in the first half… Ben has a lot of potential and we want him to keep improving.”

Given his age and versatility, having played at both right-back and left-back and further forward also,