Jean-Clair Todibo wants to achieve ‘something beautiful’ at Nice before making a potential summer move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils were already keen on the former Barcelona defender last summer. And, following that minority takeover by Ineos, the chances of Jean-Clair Todibo crossing the Channel appear to have increased rather substantially.
Nice, after all, are already owned by Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe. And while it would be a stretch to suggest that the two sides could operate almost as ‘sister clubs’ in the market – in a manner reminiscent of Watford and Udinese, or RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg – the new-found connections between Nice and Manchester United should leave the door open for Todibo to swap the latter for the former.
Manchester United like Jean-Clair Todibo
According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking to The United Stand, some at INEOS feel that the £50 million-rated Todibo would be the ‘perfect centre-back for Manchester United’.
And while the talented 24-year-old did not give much away when quizzed about his future, Todibo did admit that – if this is to be his final season at Nice – he wants to end it in his style.
“I’m very calm about it all,” Todibo tells Get France Football News. “I am at Nice and we’re having a great season. I don’t have my head elsewhere. If I did, it would be difficult for me personally and for the group too.
“I’m at Nice. I feel really good. We’ll see what happens in the summer but we’re not there yet.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I don’t want to give false hope. For now, I’m here at Nice. Football moves quickly, you never know what’s going to happen. I’ll wait until the summer to make my decision.”
Ratcliffe connection
“If my decision is to stay, I’ll announce it. If it is to leave, I’ll announce it too and I’ll thank everyone,” adds the Frenchman, who held talks with Tottenham in January before Spurs brought in Radu Dragusin from Genoa instead. “But we’re not there yet.
“There are important games coming up. The goal is that, if it is to be my final season at OGC Nice, then I want to leave here having done something beautiful with the club. The supporters and the club deserve players who give everything on the pitch, and to achieve something substantial. Personally, if I am to leave, I want to leave something good behind.”
Manchester United are also keen on the likes of Giorgio Scalvini, Goncalo Inacio and Antonio Silva. Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton is another leading candidate, and may become the priority if Ratcliffe – as some have suggested – opts to prioritise homegrown, British-based talent.
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