Manchester United are reportedly interested in OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo with Harry Maguire’s future continuing to be in doubt.
According to Fabrizio Romano, United have held contacts and discussions with the French defender but there have been no recent contacts according to the Italian journalist.
Romano, however, also claims that United would need to move on Maguire if they make a move for the French defender.
Crucially, he reports Juventus have dropped out of the race for Todibo after making enquiries last week.
Maguire’s future
Maguire made a mistake against Athletic Bilbao yesterday in United’s last pre-season game before they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League next Monday.
The defender’s poor decision-making led to the Spanish side taking the lead and the Englishman was subjected to booing from the United fans in Dublin.
United have already turned down an offer from West Ham for the former Leicester defender with a rather low offer of £20 million being rejected by United according to David Ornstein.
What would Todibo bring?
The deal to take the Frenchman to Old Trafford is in the very early stages of being completed but were the defender to make the move he would certainly offer a lot to United with the ball.
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He completes 4.8 progressive passes per 90 with a pass completion rate of 88% according to FBREF, Todibo may well be a superb addition to the United defence.
With Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw, United have a defence that can be relied on with their ball playing, which has been lacking over the last few years.
Raphael Varane, who is a superb defender in the penalty box, struggles at times when under pressure with the ball at his feet and certain sections of the United fanbase believe that the former Real Madrid defender may need to be phased out next season.
Todibo would be a superb addition and, at just 23 years of age, may well be a long-term replacement for Varane.