Tottenham have doubts regarding a move for Jean-Clair Todibo despite opening preliminary talks for the Manchester United target.
Ben Jacobs insists Tottenham are pessimistic about landing Jean-Clair Todibo as several factors could impact the move. Spurs had already opened preliminary talks for the 23-year-old Manchester United target, as Ange Postecoglou remains desperate to sign a central defender.
Tottenham need a centre-back
Tottenham’s need for a centre-back has seen them linked with several stars around the continent. Ange Postecoglou remains keen to bring a new defender after facing problems with depth in the area. Having started the season superbly, Spurs have fallen behind in the title race, primarily due to the absence of key central defenders.
Micky van de Ven’s injury caused real concerns and certainly played a significant role in four defeats in five games. However, his absence also exposed the lack of depth in the defensive ranks, with Cristian Romero playing on the edge with his persistent bookings in games.
Postecoglou may not want to rely too much on Ben Davies and Eric Dier, who have been at the club for a long time but nowhere near the top of their game. While Van de Ven will return at some stage in January, the manager remains intent on strengthening the backline. Jean-Clair Todibo remains a target, with Spurs having opened tentative talks with OGC Nice over a move.
Nice are reluctant to sell, but if any clubs come close to their asking price, which, as per some reports, could range from £40 million to over £50 million in January, then they might do business. However, journalist Ben Jacobs said Spurs are reportedly pessimistic about a deal.
Why are Tottenham pessimistic about Todibo’s transfer?
The asking price could prove a problem for Tottenham as they may have limited sums to bring talents in January. Daniel Levy might have promised a decent enough transfer kitty, but the manager has to be mindful about spending a lot on one target alone.
Secondly, Manchester United are keen on Todibo, with the 23-year-old a target since the summer. The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a shareholder at Old Trafford could give them an added boost to sign the Nice star, which could pose a problem for Tottenham.
Finally, there’s the player’s intent and decision to accept a transfer to Spurs. He might evaluate whether he starts every week or remains on as a backup to either Romero or Van de Ven. In that case, he might prefer to stay put or join a club where he can get guarantees about playing time.
