Aston Villa have entered the race to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from OGC Nice, with the asking price set at €25 million.
According to L’Equipe, Aston Villa could rival Manchester United for signing Jean-Clair Todibo in the summer window. Unai Emery would want to add a quality defender to his ranks as he gears up for a domestic and European campaign next season, as the OGC Nice centre-back is reportedly available for €25 million.
Aston Villa in Jean-Clair Todibo tussle
Manchester United have been linked with a move for Jean-Clair Todibo, but interest in the defender has cooled recently. Partly that is because of OGC Nice’s asking price, something INEOS is well informed about, as they have made regular checks on the player.
Considering INEOS’ stake in both clubs, this deal would have been easy, but that is not the case. Manchester United could look elsewhere, as Aston Villa are the latest to show an interest in the 24-year-old French international.
Unai Emery wants a new defender in his ranks to shore up the backline as he prepares for a season in the Champions League. They are not signing Clement Lenglet permanently, which leaves space for a new centre-back to come in and strengthen the side.
As some of his recent comments suggest, Todibo would like a new challenge in his career. The player has long been linked with a move away from NIce, and with two years left on his deal, the French side might look to cash in on the 24-year-old French international.
Todibo said, “I want to win titles and play in the best European competitions. Those are my objectives. I’d also like to go to a club that will allow me to become better and progress on an individual level. That’s what interests me.”
He added, “I am open to joining any league honestly. I watch more or less every league, and each one could appeal to me. I’m not fixated in terms of what league to join. Could I flourish in the Premier League? Yeah, I think so, and I think I could flourish in any league. Is there a possibility that my chances correspond best with the Premier League? There is a chance, yes.”
Is Todibo available for €25 million?
Strange suggestions have been made about Nice’s asking price for one of their main defenders, with earlier stories reporting they sought €60 million. The price tag may have been valid, but only to ward off suitors around the January window, as things might have changed in the background.
The report suggests that Todibo will be made available for €25 million, which signifies a staggering drop in Nice’s valuation. His exclusion from the French side for the Euros might have impacted the pricing, but this will be seen as good news by his many suitors from Italy, Spain, and England.
