Ratcliffe may give Manchester United advantage in race for £40m Liverpool target

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Fabrizio Romano is claiming that Manchester United scouted Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo at the weekend alongside Premier League rivals Newcastle and Liverpool.

According to Romano, writing on his official Twitter account, scouts working on behalf of Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle were all in attendance as Nice beat Rennes 2-1 on Saturday.

The former France U20 international failed to make the grade at Barcelona. Not that he was given much of a chance, of course. But an outstanding run of form in Ligue 1 could pave the way for Jean-Clair Todibo to earn a second chance at making his mark at very top of the European game.

Manchester United like Jean-Clair Todibo

Todibo was in typically commanding form during his 42^nd appearance of an impressive campaign. An 88 per cent pass completion rate may explain why the 23-year-old has a place on Erik ten Hag’s summer wishlist.

The former Ajax boss needs more technically-capable players if he is to instil the sort of possession-heavy football he utilised to such brilliant effect at Ajax. Some at Old Trafford may see Todibo as a more cultured alternative to the old-school Raphael Varane, similar to Ajax’s Jurrien Timber.

Todibo was reportedly a target for Wolves and Southampton before joining Barcelona in 2019. He made only four La Liga appearances for Barca, but did impress during a loan spell at Schalke. 

“Todibo is the best centre back I’ve seen in a long time,” Germany legend and 1990 Ballon D’Or winner Lothar Matthaus beamed after watching the then-20-year-old marshall Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku during a Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

“He is incredibly calm, and he always finds interesting solutions.”

Romano adds that Nice are likely to demand £40 million for Todibo. His ability in possession may have something to do with the fact he grew up idolising legendary playmaker Andrea Pirlo.

It will not go unnoticed, meanwhile, that Todibo is currently contracted to a Nice side who’s owner is none other than Sir Jim Ratcliffe. With the British billionaire now hoping to wrestle Manchester United from out of Glazer hands, it’s tempting to wonder if Todibo could follow Ratcliffe across the Channel.