Man Utd bombshell! Ratcliffe can't even buy his own players

Tom Weber

• Updated: 19 Jun 2024 18:24 BST
• 4 min read

Jean-Clair Todibo is slipping away from Man Utd, according to French media, despite being technically owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

One of the star players at INEOS-owned Nice, the French centre-back is a sought-after commodity this summer, having established himself as one of Ligue 1's best defenders in recent seasons.

Todibo is a player who was admired by Man Utd even before boyhood fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a minority stake in the club and links to the 24-year-old have only intensified since the Nice chief came on board.

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Ratcliffe is now reportedly looking to sell his stake in the French club but Man Utd have nevertheless been associated with a summer raid on their sister club, with Todibo among the top options in light of the fact that Everton appear unwilling to lower their €80+ million demands for Jarrad Branthwaite.

At around €40m, Todibo would be a much cheaper option, but it seems as though the Frenchman is slipping away from Man Utd despite being owned by INEOS.

Aston Villa pushing

At least that is according to Footmercato, which reports that Todibo has admirers in pretty much every top-five league. Intriguingly, however, it is claimed that the Premier League side currently leading the race for him are Aston Villa.

It is claimed that it is Unai Emery's side and not Man Utd who are actively pursuing the Frenchman, while Todibo is also high on the list of other Champions League participants elsewhere.

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The French outlet asserts that the centre-back tops Xabi Alonso's defensive shortlist at Bayer Leverkusen and that Juventus are also in the mix for him, though Italy star Riccardo Calafiori remains their priority. Borussia Dortmund also admire Todibo, but the transfer plans of new coach Nuri Sahin are still being formulated.

Off the back of Footmercato's reporting, Fabrizio Romano has shed more light on why Man Utd won't sign Todibo this summer. It is quite simply due to UEFA regulations. Man Utd and Nice have actually been engaged in talks over a transfer for some time, with the player keen on the move, but as they will both play in the Europa League next season, they are not allowed to do business.