Why Man Utd can’t sign Todibo from Nice

Robin Bairner

Updated: 20 Jun 2024 12:55 BST
4 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Jean-Clair Todibo, Nice — © IMAGO

On paper, Manchester United signing Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice should be the easiest deal of the summer transfer window.

Article continues under the video

Both clubs are owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, with the billionaire having taken over a minority stake in Man Utd earlier this year.

Todibo, though, appears set to escape the Old Trafford side, despite being exactly the type of player they are chasing. He is young, talented and would plug a gap at centre-back that the Red Devils need to fill.

But there’s a catch – one that will thwart the hopes of Ratcliffe from utilising Nice the same that, for example, Chelsea are using Strasbourg.

STATS

Jean-Clair Todibo

D (C)

Nice

Jean-Clair Todibo

D (C)

Nice

33

Games
0

Goals
3

Assists

Man Utd’s UEFA worries

United’s takeover is still comparatively fresh and there are issues that have not been ironed out with it, particularly relating to UEFA and the club’s participation in the Europa League next season. This was achieved by winning the FA Cup.

Ratcliffe is adamant that Man Utd should be able to play in the competition but UEFA are putting a block on clubs under the same ownership playing in the same tournament. United are arguing against this because INEOS’ stake in the club is only a minority one, yet they are still taking a soft approach.

There are other examples of clubs ostensibly owned by the same people participating in Europe together. For example, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg both played in the Champions League last season, as well as Liverpool, Toulouse and, ultimately, AC Milan, who Red Bird Capital has a stake in, all competing in the Europa League. This is from last season alone.

Nevertheless, Man Utd do not want to jeopardise their spot in Europe and will not complete any transfers between Old Trafford and Nice for the time being.

Ratcliffe reacts

Ratcliffe has been left furious at the situation and told Bloomberg: "We have a player at Nice, I'm not going to say his name, who is really interested in joining United and who has the ability to be a Manchester United player. They told us we can't sell him to United.

"But that's not fair on the player, and I don’t see what that achieves."

Previously Fabrizio Romano wrote: “Jean-Clair Todibo deal for Man United is currently off and highly unlikely due to UEFA rules.

“Talks were advanced with all parties keen for months but Nice and Man Utd with same ownership playing same European competition next season means no green light.”

Man Utd are also linked with Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton, who looks their likeliest addition, with Lille’s Leny Yoro set to escape them due to Real Madrid’s interest.