Chelsea, Man Utd & Liverpool target opens door to shock transfer

Tom Weber

• Updated: 26 Feb 2024 19:10 GMT
• 3 min read

In-demand defender Jean-Clair Todibo has revealed that he would be open to returning to Barcelona.

The Nice star has established himself as one of Europe's best defenders in recent seasons and this has unsurprisingly attracted the attention of football's elite. The 24-year-old France international looks to have outgrown his Ligue 1 side and could very well leave the club in the summer.

Linked with the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool, Todibo has no shortage of suitors and speculation about his future has been rampant for months. Indeed, the Red Devils were already hot on his trail last summer.

Earlier this month, Todibo was asked about the upcoming transfer window and gave a tantalising response: “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I don’t want to give false hope. For now, I’m here at Nice. Football moves quickly, you never know what’s going to happen. I’ll wait until the summer to make my decision. If my decision is to stay, I’ll announce it, if it is to leave, I’ll announce it too and I’ll thank everyone, but we’re not there yet."

Todibo open to Barca return

One of the few big clubs who have not been linked with Todibo are Barcelona, and for good reason. Prior to joining Nice, the youngster was on the books in Catalunya and endured a torrid time. Moreover, the cash-strapped LaLiga giants wouldn't be able to afford the Frenchman.

Nevertheless, Todibo was asked about a possible return to the club after Nice's 0-0 draw with Clermont Foot and opened the door to a potential transfer. "Why not? I don't regret it, not at all. Barcelona is still a great experience. I learned a lot from Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet."

"It did me good. I discovered the very, very top level. I didn't have the desired minutes because there were very, very big players in front of me. I also had a coach, Ernesto Valverde, who was under pressure, so it was normal for him to play Gerard Pique instead of an inexperienced 19-year-old."