Jean-Claire Todibo’s exit from Barcelona has reportedly edged closer as Fulham are ready to table an €18 million offer for the Frenchman.
According to a report by Spanish publication Sport, Fulham are closing in on the signing of Jean-Claire Todibo from Barcelona, for a fee reported to be around €18 million.
Todibo joined Barcelona from Toulouse in the winter transfer window of 2019 for a bargain fee of just €1 million despite being one of the best defensive prospects to come out of France. He made his debut against SD Huesca in a 0-0 draw as part of a weakened team fielded by Ernesto Valverde before the UEFA Champions League quarter-final away leg against Manchester United.
Todibo only managed to get only to get a grand total of 150 minutes post that before being loaned out to FC Schalke 04. He was, however, part of the Barcelona starting XI that beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the Champions League. Todibo was awarded the man of the match for his exploits in defence that day.
Life has managed to come fast for Todibo since his loan move to Germany. A long-term injury halted his progress due to which he was sidelined for nearly two months, post which a transfer to Everton fell out, and the player tested positive for the Coronavirus after his return to Barcelona training.
While Todibo insists on fighting for minutes, there is little chance for him to feature for Barcelona. The Frenchman failed to even cut into the squad list for the first two games of the season against Villarreal and Celta Vigo, respectively, with Ronald Koeman preferring Barcelona B players Ronald Araujo and Santiago Ramos Mingo ahead of him.
Fulham’s approach could be the breakthrough Todibo needs. The London outfit has limited options for the centre-half role and a player with a high ceiling such as Todibo could reignite their already crashing season. He has the strength and pace to cut it in the Premier League which could allow Scott Parker to permanently shift to a three-man backline, consequently adding more defensive depth.
On a personal level, however, this might be too big a leap in the wrong direction for the 20-year-old. There is a good chance that Fulham will not survive in the Premier League this season, which will only spell more trouble for the Barcelona outcast.
On the flipside, Todibo could get his chances this season if Barcelona fail to complete the signing of Eric Garcia from Manchester City, although with three days left for the transfer window to end, he will have to take his chances.
