Todibo gives tantalising response to Man Utd and Chelsea interest

Tom Weber

• Updated: 9 Feb 2024 17:06 GMT
• 3 min read

Jean-Clair Todibo has refused to commit his future to Nice in what will be music to the ears of his high-profile admirers.

The Frenchman is one of Europe's most in-demand players, having established himself among the continent's top defenders. This term, Todibo has marshalled Ligue 1's best defence at Nice and he is once again being associated with some of football's biggest hitters.

Man Utd were already hot on his heels in the summer but did not have the Financial Fair Play wiggle room to pursue a deal. With the fresh funds of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS coming in - who, by the way, also own Nice - the Red Devils are rightfully considered the favourites to land the 24-year-old.

However, they aren't the only heavyweights keen on securing his services. The likes of Liverpool and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in Todibo in recent times, with both likely to look for long-term defensive options in the summer. Now, the player himself has addressed the rumours linking him with an exit.

What did Todibo say?

Asked by GFFN about his future and the non-stop transfer rumours ahead of Nice's clash with Monaco on Sunday, Todibo said: “It’s always like that. During winter there are requests. I’m very calm about it all. I am at Nice and we’re having a great season."

"I don’t have my head elsewhere; if I did it would be difficult for me personally and for the group too. I’m at Nice, I feel really good. We’ll see what happens in the summer but we’re not there yet."

“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."

"There are important games coming up. The goal is that if it is to be my final season at OGC Nice, then I want to leave here having done something beautiful with the club. The supporters and the club deserve players who give everything on the pitch, and to achieve something substantial. Personally, if I am to leave, I want to leave something good behind.”