Ex-Chelsea star could RUIN Pochettino's transfer plans

Cameron Smith

• 8 Jan 2024 15:23 GMT
• 4 min read

Former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori could indirectly prevent the Blues from landing one of their major transfer targets in 2024.

The England international has been one of AC Milan’s standout players since his move to San Siro and his form has attracted interest from across Europe.

Bayern Munich are reportedly keen on landing Tomori - although their pursuit of Radu Dragusin may end any interest in the Milan star - while FootballTransfers understand that he is also on Arsenal’s radar.

Tomori, 26, still has three-and-a-half years left on his current Milan contract, but the Italian giants are already planning for his potential departure, according to reports.

The Rossoneri are reportedly ready to rival Bayern and Tottenham Hotspur for Genoa star Dragusin, while RMC Sport and Fichajes have both reported that Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo is also on their radar.

RMC’s Fabrice Hawkins has revealed that Todibo has been identified as a possible replacement for Tomori if the Englishman leaves Milan.

However, they will not have a free run at Todibo as both Chelsea and Manchester United are extremely interested in signing him.

How Fikayo Tomori could stop Chelsea signing Jean-Clair Todibo

While Chelsea would be able to offer Todibo a more lucrative salary than Milan, the France international may be tempted by the San Siro side’s offer.

He would be in direct competition with Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana for a starting berth at Stamford Bridge, while he would immediately become a key player for Milan.

Man Utd would also be able to offer Todibo a guaranteed starting spot - given Raphael Varane is set to leave in 2024 and Lisandro Martinez is perennially injured - but the Red Devils are less likely to be in the Champions League than Milan next season, or even Nice for that matter.

As a result, Milan may represent the perfect destination for Todibo and he would be an excellent replacement for Tomori.

The Nice star has many similar traits to the ex-Chelsea man, including his ability to defend one-vs-one out wide, his composure on the ball and his speed.

Chelsea’s pursuit of Todibo makes sense, considering Fofana’s injury issues and Disasi’s weakness at defending against speedy attackers, but they may be denied the chance to sign him if Tomori decides to leave Milan and the Rosseneri choose Todibo as his replacement.