West Ham United to move for ‘dominant’ Jean-Clair Todibo signing
West Ham legend Frank McAvennie has called on the club to sign at least two centre-backs this summer as their current crop haven’t cut it at the London Stadium.
It was reported by Fabrizio Romano on Thursday (4 July) that the Hammers have agreed personal terms with Max Kilman and a £40million deal with Wolves is close to completion.
West Ham were also said to have seen an opening offer of £29.6million turned down by Nice for their own star defender Jean-Clair Todibo turned down (Florian Plettenberg, 2 July).
Asked specifically about their interest in Todibo, McAvennie told West Ham Zone that the club need a revamp of their defensive options.
He said: “They need two, never mind one! They need to bring in two.
“We need a new back four actually, that’s what we need because (Vladimir) Coufal’s a good player for me but he’s not done anything in the Euros.
“But I think we need two dominant centre-halves, two boys who can play football. I would like the old type centre-backs, players who don’t mind heading the ball, wouldn’t that be a novelty? Two centre-backs who like to head the ball and who can play.
“I’d like to see them bring in two let alone one so if they’re bringing in (Todibo), then I would be happy with that but it’s got to be good ones because the other centre-backs haven’t done it for West Ham, haven’t done it at all.”
Can West Ham afford Todibo and Kilman?
There’s no denying that was McAvennie is saying here is completely spot on.
Only the three relegated teams conceded more goals than the Hammers in the Premier League last season, with Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos doing little to show they can be long-term solutions at centre-back.
Kilman is, of course, well known to new boss Julen Lopetegui so that link is a natural one and, while supporters might have some reservations over the price, he is an excellent defender.
Todibo is a former Barcelona defender who has really excelled since moving to Nice and has attracted interest from Manchester United, though INEOS’ involvement at both clubs means that transfer is extremely complicated.
The big question for West Ham is whether they can afford Kilman and Todibo…if they can then that could be an excellent partnership to build the a new-look defence on.
In other West Ham news, Mohammed Kudus has made a transfer admission amid exit speculation surrounding the forward.
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