Blow for Man Utd as Tottenham open talks with key target – Fabrizio Romano

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 20 Dec 2023 16:44 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United could see one of their top defensive targets move to a Premier League rival after Tottenham opened talks with Nice over a January transfer for Jean-Clair Todibo, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Todibo has been Erik ten Hag’s priority to strengthen at centre-back but United were unable to fund a move after failing to sell Harry Maguire in the summer.

And the hesitation has allowed Tottenham to swoop in, with the North London side in the market for a defender this winter to replace Micky van de Wen, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury until next year.

Romano has claimed that Todibo is ‘high’ on Tottenham’s list but that a deal with Nice is ‘not easy’, although Spurs have opened talks with the Ligue 1 side while also having spoke to the player’s camp in recent days.

United still maintain an interest in Todibo but the club have played down talks of conducting any major business in January, having spent more than €200 million during the summer.

Nice were believed to have placed a price tag of around €50m on Todibo during the summer, with the 23-year-old establishing himself as one of the standout defenders in Europe while also having more than three years remaining on his contract.

United January transfer business will depend on sales

A move for Todibo would only be feasible for United if they raise funds through sales, with Jadon Sancho still available for transfer, while speculation continues to mount over the futures of Raphael Varane and Casemiro.

It was revealed earlier this month that Varane’s contract at United is due to expire at the end of the season as opposed to 2025, with the final year of his deal believed to be an option for the club rather than being guaranteed.

It would mean teams would be allowed to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Varane in January to sign him for free in the summer, however United are expected to activate his option anyway, even if the 30-year-old is still sold.

Varane and teammate Casemiro have come under scrutiny this season after a combination of injuries and poor form, with both players said to have interest from Saudi Arabia among other sides, while United are believed to be open to their departures.