How Atalanta feel about signing Jean-Clair Todibo as West Ham exit route set to open

Jean-Clair Todibo remains a West Ham United player, but all parties involved seem to hope that's not the case for much longer.

The 26-year-old doesn't appear to be in Nuno Espirito Santo's plans moving forward, and is expected to leave West Ham this summer.

However, finding someone to do business with them for the Frenchman has so far proven to be a real struggle.

Atalanta have been one of the sides strongly linked with signing Todibo, whilst fellow Serie A side AC Milan have also been touted as an option.

But whether it's because of West Ham's or the player's demands, or something else entirely, no such exit has materialised for the centre-back as of yet.

That could be about to change though, but the Hammers will need a little bit of luck to be on their side as well.

What needs to happen for Atalanta to make Jean-Clair Todibo move?

Understandably given his underwhelming two years with West Ham, Todibo doesn't appear to be a priority signing for any of the teams he's been linked with.

However, he does have significant experience of playing Ligue 1 football with Nice, whilst he also has the likes of Barcelona and Benfica on his CV too.

So there are some attractive qualities about Todibo that could make him a shrewd addition for someone, and his new home could be Bergamo.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Atalanta do have Todibo down as a transfer option for them this summer, with their sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli said to be an admirer.

However, the report outlines two main sticking points that could prevent him from signing there.

Firstly, Atalanta have Udinese's Thomas Kristensen as their priority target, and that a bid of up to £21.3million could be in the pipeline.

Secondly, Todibo's West Ham salary is also claimed to be an issue for Atalanta, with it seemingly likely he'd need to agree to a pay cut if he's to join them.

Then there's Manchester City's Juma Bah, who is also named as being another defender Atalanta like, so Todibo is certainly not their only option to strengthen in central defence.

Potentially what needs to happen for Todibo to sign with Atalanta, then, is for him to agree to a salary reduction and for the Bergamo outfit to fail in their pursuit of Kristensen.

But would Atalanta be a wise move for Todibo, and what sort of role could he expect in Maurizio Sarri's side?

Why Atalanta may not have same transfer pull for Todibo as before

With their legendary manager Gian Piero Gasperini now at Roma, Atalanta have been struggling with life after the 68-year-old in charge.

Former Southampton boss Ivan Juric only lasted 11 Serie A games last season, whilst Raffaele Palladino was also replaced at the end of the season by their new gaffer, Maurizio Sarri.

Gasperini's Atalanta almost exclusively played in a back three, and that would've given Todibo greater starting opportunities there.

However, Sarri typically deploys his teams in a 4-3-3, thus taking a starting spot away in central defence.

Atalanta have two very talented young central defenders too in 22-year-old Giorgio Scalvini and 18-year-old Honest Ahanor, so if Sarri was to play with a back four, Todibo would have his work cut out trying to displace either of those two from the starting XI.