West Ham United and OGC Nice have reportedly agreed to an initial loan deal with a purchase option worth €36 million to sign Jean-Clair Todibo, who wants to join Juventus.
According to reputed French journalist Santi Aouna, Jean-Clair Todibo is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers have agreed to an initial loan deal to sign the Frenchman, with the purchase option worth €36 million. However, the OGC Nice defender wants to join Juventus in the summer transfer window, as he prefers the Serie A club’s sporting project.
The Jean-Clair Todibo story
Jean-Clair Todibo has been one of the best defenders in Ligue 1 since joining OGC Nice from FC Barcelona in 2021. Les Aiglons signed the 24-year-old on an initial loan deal in February 2021 before completing a permanent move in the subsequent summer transfer window.
The move has helped Todibo resurrect his career after he struggled to make his mark at FC Barcelona. The Frenchman has turned out 136 times thus far for OGC Nice while chipping in with two goals and three assists. In addition, the player’s exploits for the Ligue 1 outfit have helped him break into his national team.
Meanwhile, Todibo’s progress at OGC Nice has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs. The French international was once close to joining Manchester United before UEFA rules prevented the move from happening. That opened the way for West Ham United and Juventus to intensify their efforts to sign the former Barcelona defender.
Where next?
West Ham United’s interest in Jean-Clair Todibo is understandable. The Hammers have been keen on signing a centre-back in the summer transfer window after losing Angelo Ogbonna as a free agent. In addition, Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd face an uncertain future at the London Stadium. So, Todibo is a viable target for West Ham United.
The latest report has revealed an agreement, with West Ham finding common ground with OGC Nice on a loan-to-buy deal worth €36 million. However, the 24-year-old Frenchman prefers a move to Juventus, meaning talks over personal terms might hit a snag.
A separate update by Fabrizio Romano has revealed personal terms are not an issue for Juventus. So, the Bianconeri must seal an agreement with OGC Nice to hijack West Ham United’s move for the France international.
