Fabrizio Romano has announced that West Ham United have secured a deal for Jean-Clair Todibo in the final stretch. The Nice player, who has been repeatedly linked with Manchester United, will join the club on a loan deal with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.
The French defender has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, with the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, who also have a stake in Nice, adding to the rumours. Raphael Varane then left the club when his contract expired, leaving a gap in the squad.
At one point, there were rumours suggesting that UEFA was blocking a potential transfer of the defender to Manchester United. The information was eventually confirmed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who indicated that the main problem was the fact that both teams were playing in the Europa League at the same time.
The Red Devils have dropped their interest in Todibo, so other teams have entered the game. So far, Juventus have seemed to be the favourites in this matter, having been negotiating a transfer with Nice for several weeks. At some point, the clubs have been unable to make progress in the talks.
According to Fabrizio Romano, West Ham United took advantage of the situation. The director of the English club personally went to France to negotiate Todibo’s transfer. The interested club quickly reached an agreement, and the player himself will change colors as part of a loan with an obligation to buy for 40 million euros and a clause of income from his next transfers. In this case, the famous “here we go” has already been said. Medical tests are to take place today.
🚨⚒️ Jean-Clair Todibo to West Ham, here we go! Exclusive scoop confirmed as hijack is completed.
Understand Todibo, his agent and West Ham director Tim Steidten are flying to London right now! 🇬🇧🛫
€40m on loan + obligation, sell-on clause included.
Medical booked today. pic.twitter.com/9VhMiLFN7h
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 9, 2024
The London outfit have been on a transfer offensive this summer, with Max Kilman, Guido Rodriguez, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Füllkrug all joining the Hammers. In the background, the club is still negotiating with Manchester United over Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Julen Lopetegui will be in charge of the team for the upcoming campaign, so this project could certainly shake things up in the Premier League.
