Leeds United heavily investigated signing West Ham United’s Ben Johnson in January, but the Hammers persuaded him to stay – and David Moyes praised him on Sunday.

Johnson, 24, was one of the names that kept up on the Leeds radar in January. It comes as Johnson struggles to play in the first half of the season and his contract expires in June.

According to reports, Leeds and Millwall were in talks to sign Johnson this month after he rejected two fresh contract offers. Johnson is alleged to have declined the offers due to his game schedule.

Since joining Leeds, Johnson has started three of West Ham’s past four Premier League games. He came on as a substitute for 20 minutes in the other, having played only once in the previous four matches.

Following Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday, manager David Moyes praised Johnson, calling him a “hybrid” player who is impressing in claret and blue.

“He’s developing into a hybrid player for us, capable of filling a variety of roles. It may not be the long-term solution, but I must commend him for his performance. “He did well,” he stated.

“He did as we hoped. We were concerned about Marcus Rashford’s ability to get forward and Luke Shaw at left-back, but I thought Ben did an excellent job for us.

Johnson would have been an excellent signing. A versatile player capable of playing in a variety of positions. Both sides of defence, and definitely as a hybrid midfielder or out wide. In that sense, he resembles a younger Stuart Dallas.

With his contract still up for negotiation in the summer, he may remain on Leeds’ radar until his boyhood club can reach a more long-term agreement. Johnson would still be a useful addition.