Man Utd face Tottenham competition for €50m ex-Barcelona star who is their transfer priority
Robin Bairner
- 29 Nov 2023 01:15 CST
- 3 min read
Manchester United face competition to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice, with Tottenham set to enter the market for the France international centre-back.
FootballTransfers previously revealed that Todibo is Man Utd’s priority for the January transfer window as they seek options to strengthen their defence, especially now in light of Raphael Varane’s fallout with manager Erik ten Hag.
The 23-year-old is likely to command a transfer fee in the region of €50 million after turning in months of impressive performances in Ligue 1 and the Red Devils would not have expected a free run at the defender.
Indeed, the Standard reports that Tottenham have joined the race to sign Todibo, with Ange Postcoglou’s side also seeking to bolster their defensive options during the mid-season transfer period.
Spurs' need for additional cover was underlined as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend, with full-backs Ben Davies and Emerson Royal deployed in the middle of defence due to an injury to Micky van de Ven and a suspension to Cristian Romero.
Beyond Todibo, Spurs are also tracking Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, giving them a central defensive shortlist that is very similar to Man Utd’s.
When it comes to the Frenchman, whose contract expires in 2027, the aces in this deal are held by the Old Trafford club.
Todibo an impossible target for Spurs?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent minority takeover of Man Utd will give Ten Hag’s side an overwhelming advantage over Spurs in the race for Todibo given that the billionaire is also the owner of Nice. Ratcliffe will not willingly strengthen a rival at the expense of his own club.
Meanwhile, Todibo is not in a rush to depart the Allianz Rivera this January, with Nice going toe to toe with PSG at the top of Ligue 1 thanks to their strong defence.
Francesco Farioli has built a solid team based around solidarity, and while it is not a style that would enamour Man Utd fans, it means they have not trailed for a single minute of competitive football this season and remain unbeaten with nearly half the Ligue 1 campaign played.
Man Utd may be able to persuade the former Barcelona star to leave, but it will be harder for Tottenham.
