Ten Hag target 'ready for move' as Man Utd interest confirmed
Tom Weber
- Updated: 1 Nov 2023 16:46 GMT
- 3 min read
Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo is ready for a big move, according to a French football expert.
The Nice defender has emerged as one of Ligue 1's best in his position in recent seasons after a torrid spell on the books at Barcelona as a youngster. Now a full France international, the 23-year-old is attracting the interest of some big hitters, chief among them Man Utd.
The uncertainty surrounding Man Utd's centre-back situation makes a deal imperative, if not in January, then certainly in the summer. Already in the previous transfer window, the Red Devils looked to offload former captain Harry Maguire to fund a move for a new defender, but nothing ultimately materialised.
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Despite Maguire's improvement in recent weeks, the expectation is that he will eventually depart, likely in the summer, and given that there are fitness concerns around Raphael Varane - who isn't getting any younger - and Lisandro Martinez, signing someone like Todibo could prove crucial if Man Utd ever want to reclaim their place in the sun.
Todibo ready for next step
According to French football expert Jonathan Johnson, Todibo is ready to sign for a club like Man Utd. "...There clearly could be room for Todibo, though it’s worth noting that he will cost big money," he told CaughtOffside. "We’re probably talking at least around the £50m if not a bit higher."
“Nice have started well in Ligue 1 and are looking pretty exciting right now, though of course now that Todibo is a full France international I’m sure he’ll want to play at the highest level possible. I don’t see a move happening in January, but a summer move could be on the cards, depending on how the season pans out for Nice"
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"Still, there’s no doubt Todibo is a coveted prospect at this moment in time, not just from United but from a number of other big clubs around Europe. Top clubs have been looking at him and he’s someone who now seems ready for that sort of move – one which he arguably took a bit too early when he joined Barcelona earlier in his career."
