Man Utd will pursue deal for €50m Todibo - but there's a problem
Tom Weber
- 8 Nov 2023 10:01 CST
- 3 min read
Manchester United will pursue a deal for Jean-Clair Todibo in 2024 - but only in the summer.
The Nice star has established himself as a household name and is attracting the interest of England's big hitters. Long-linked with Man Utd, the Red Devils ultimately couldn't move for the 23-year-old in the summer because of Harry Maguire's failed deal with West Ham, which left them without the necessary resources to afford Todibo.
Their interest in the France international remains, however, and it's not hard to see why. Todibo has been the centrepiece of arguably Europe's best defence this term. Table-topping Nice have only conceded four goals in 11 Ligue 1 fixtures and the former Barcelona man has been the biggest reason behind their stability.
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According to TEAMtalk, 2024 will be the year Man Utd will make an official approach for him, but only in the summer. A January move is seen as unrealistic, especially in light of Nice's stunning start to the season. As there is still some uncertainty regarding Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority investment, it's unlikely that the Red Devils will be able to shell out the €50m Nice will demand for his services.
Chelsea interest
There is also another, likely more worrying problem: Chelsea's interest. Reports on Tuesday claimed that the Blues have entered the race for Todibo as they see him as an ideal replacement for 39-year-old Thiago Silva.
The Brazilian is swiftly approaching the end of his Chelsea contract - and likely his career, too - and the London club are keen to add a high-profile successor to their ranks, though whether they will make a move in January remains to be seen given that they are planning on bringing in a big-name striker in that window.
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There is precedence for Chelsea beating Man Utd to a Ligue 1 defender, too. In the summer, the Red Devils had courted Axel Disasi for weeks only for the Frenchman to end up at Stamford Bridge in a €45m deal.
