Everton have reportedly made a bid worth €25 million for Jean-Clair Todibo, who could be on his way out of Barcelona this summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Jean-Clair Todibo is expected to be the first player to leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The La Liga champions have received an offer worth €25 million for the 20-year-old defender from Everton, who are in the market for a centre-back.
Todibo joined Barcelona from Toulouse in January 2019, costing the Blaugrana just €2 million. The Frenchman was eased into the thick of action by then-manager Ernesto Valverde and he made just a couple of appearances in the second half of last season.
A similar pattern ensued at the start of this season, with Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti ahead of him in the pecking order. As a result, Todibo turned out just twice for Barcelona before he was loaned out to Schalke in January. The player has made a decent start at Schalke, with 8 appearances under his belt already.
The 20-year-old defender was even named Schalke’s Player of the Month for March. The German outfit have been left impressed by the Barcelona loanee, but are unlikely to take up the €25 million purchase option after being hit hard financially by the coronavirus pandemic. However, Barcelona still have suitors lining up for Todibo, with Everton leading the chasing pack.
Everton are reportedly in the market for a centre-back, especially amid speculation surrounding the future of Mason Holgate, who has been linked with Manchester City. In case Holgate leaves, the Toffees will need to sign a replacement, considering Carlo Ancelotti will be left with just Yerry Mina and Michael Keane as his only recognised central defensive options.
Jonjoe Kenny is expected to return to Goodison Park for good when his loan spell at Schalke, where he is teammates with Barcelona loanee Todibo, ends. However, Ancelotti will need another centre-back to complete his options. As a result, Everton have been linked with a number of central defenders.
Reports had suggested that they were taking big steps to sign Gabriel Magalhaes. That ship, though, seems to have sailed, with Todibo now on Everton’s radar. That the Merseyside club share good relations with Barcelona ought to keep them in good stead in their pursuit of the 20-year-old defender.
The report claims that Everton are matching Barcelona’s valuation of the French youngster and are ready to make an offer totaling to €25 million. Barcelona are, in turn, hoping to use the funds procured from Todibo’s sale to fund the move for Lautaro Martinez, their priority target.
What now remains to be seen is if Todibo becomes the latest Barcelona player to make his way to Everton. The Toffees seem to be willing to pay the €25 million asking price, meaning a move to Goodison Park could be in the offing.
