Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing French defender Jean-Clair Todibo, valued at €30 million by OGC Nice.
According to a report from French outlet L’Equipe as relayed Get Football News France, a host of Premier League bigwigs, including Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United, are in pursuit of OGC Nice central defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who could be available for a reasonable fee of around €30 million in the summer.
Snapped up by Barcelona from Toulouse for just €1 million in early 2019, Todibo has largely experienced a journeyman career so far, enduring unsuccessful loan spells in Germany with Schalke and in Portugal with Benfica before finding his feet with Nice.
He has been on the books at OGC Nice since initially joining them on loan from Barcelona in January 2021, before completing a permanent basis after a successful loan spell. And he has since been a regular feature for Les Aiglons, closing in on his 100th competitive appearance for the club.
The 23-year-old seems to be thriving in the south of France and is delivering on his potential, putting in consistently impressive performances in the last couple of seasons. As a consequence of his excellent form, he has recently earned his first call-up to the French national team as well.
Needless to say, the defender is also a sought-after commodity in the transfer market thanks to his versatility and potential. Todibo’s profile is thought to appeal to both Premier League clubs, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United all interested in the French defender’s services.
The Red Devils, for one, are already in the market for a new defensive option to provide cover for his first-choice centre-backs, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, with Harry Maguire showing his deficiencies at the top level and having fallen out of favour under Erik ten Hag.
In Todibo, Manchester United can get a highly-rated up-and-coming defender to plug their defensive leaks and allow them to perhaps sever ties with overpaid Maguire once and for all.
As for Liverpool, they have recently dropped their interest in RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol due to his huge €80 million price tag. Todibo thus represents an excellent alternative as he possesses similar attributes. And the fact that he is available for a fair €30 million offer should be enough to see the player leave his current club, although Nice may demand at least €10 million more in add-ons.
High-flying Newcastle United are in the driving seat to secure Champions League football for next season. And the uber-rich owners could look to reward manager Eddie Howe with sizable funds to beef up the squad to cope with the rigours of European football.
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Athletic, aggressive, and able to progress the ball effectively through passing and carrying after stepping out of the defensive line, Todibo would fit into Howe’s system seamlessly and come at a bargain fee. With club captain Jamaal Lascelles’ long-term future also up in the air, it feels like a no-brainer for the Magpies.
