Ben Johnson to deliver Rangers transfer snub as Premier League rivals set to land West Ham star

West Ham United full back Ben Johnson is set to deliver Rangers a transfer snub and sign for Crystal Palace.

The 24-year-old Hammers youth academy graduate is free to leave the Londoners in the summer and his representatives reportedly held talks with the Light Blues. But Record Sport can reveal Johnson is almost certainly heading to English Premier League London rivals Crystal Palace where he would become the first signing of new Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.

Glasner, of course, was the man who inflicted Europa League misery on Rangers when he led Eintracht Frankfurt to that final win over Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in Seville two years ago. He has made a fine start to life in England since replacing Roy Hodgson and will look to put his own stamp on the squad in his first transfer window this summer - with Johnson on the verge of committing to Palace.

Palace splashed out almost £7million to sign Colombian right back Daniel Munoz and are still keen on strengthening in that area, with Johnson they man they want. West Ham turned down an enquiry from their rivals for the player in January but are now helpless to prevent him switching with claims his wage demands were too high for him to sign an extension with David Moyes’ men.

He has fallen down the pecking order with Vladimir Coufal the first choice right back for the Hammers and The Athletic report that Philippe Clement has opened dialogue with the player to bring him to Govan on a free transfer in June - just a week after Record Sport revealed James Tavernier is a target for old boss Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettiaq.

The report states that: "Rangers are one of a number of clubs interested. The 24-year-old’s representatives have held talks with the Scottish side and he has