Man Utd face massive bidding war for ideal centre-back

Tom Weber

Updated: 19 Apr 2024 09:27 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United — © IMAGO

Atletico Madrid have made signing Jean-Clair Todibo a summer priority, according to French media.

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The Nice centre-back appears destined to depart southern France this summer after failing to get a move last year. Todibo has established himself as one of Ligue 1's best defenders, though he has not been infallible, being forced to shoulder a lot of the blame for hide side's recent results crisis.

Nevertheless, the former Barcelona flop has developed massively since his ill-advised stint in Catalunya and he is expected to get a big move in the coming months, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that INEOS-owned Nice have slapped a €47 million price tag on him.

One of the sides most prominently linked are Man Utd. The Red Devils, of course, boast the same ownership, but intriguingly it has been claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe won't give his other team any discounts on the Frenchman.

The INEOS link appears to be an obvious advantage in the race to sign Todibo, but Man Utd aren't the only ones keen.

Atletico's priority

According to Footmercato, Atletico Madrid have made Todibo a 'priority target' for the summer transfer window. Diego Simeone is said to be a big fan of the 24-year-old and Atletico, more so than Man Utd, will likely play Champions League football next season.

Despite this, it is as yet unclear whether Todibo would be open to a move to Madrid given his ties to Barcelona. In February, he admitted that he would love to suit up for the Blaugrana again.

Either way, Nice are hoping that a bidding war ensues this summer and it seems that they have resigned themselves to losing their star defender. As for Todibo, he revealed that he could leave the Allianz Riviera this year. "Football moves quickly, you never know what’s going to happen. I’ll wait until the summer to make my decision," he said.