Jean-Clair Todibo stance on West Ham United transfer as situation remains open
West Ham are not the destination Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo has in mind if he is to move this summer, according to Jonathan Johnson.
The French football expert was speaking to CaughtOffside [4 July] and said that while Todibo is keen on making a Premier League move, the London Stadium wouldn’t be his first-choice destination despite the Hammers submitting a bid of over £29million for the centre-back [Florian Plettenberg, 2 July].
Johnson – a correspondent for CBS Sports – added that with the Irons’ fellow Premier League side Manchester United now owned by the same company as Nice, INEOS, Todibo could hold out in the hope of a move to Old Trafford transpiring.
He said: “The situation with Todibo remains open, with the main offer coming in so far this summer being from West Ham.
“Though a move to the Premier League would appeal to Todibo, it’s not the destination he had in mind.
“I think it’s safe to say West Ham don’t live up to Todibo’s expectations given the calibre of clubs to be linked with him.”
West Ham can’t be disheartened by Jean-Clair Todibo transfer snub
If there’s one area of the pitch the Hammers are planning major surgery this summer, it’s the centre of defence, and that’s unsurprising given they conceded the fourth-most Premier League goals (74) of any side last season.
Todibo is just one of several names linked to the club in their bid to address this problem position, with Wolves captain Max Kilman closing in on a big-money move of his own to the London Stadium [The Sun, 23 May].
While the arrival of Kilman is a step up from the Irons’ current defensive stocks, new head coach Julen Lopetegui will still want to strengthen further, with the futures of players like Nayef Aguerd uncertain.
Avoiding shelling out a fee close to £30million on a defender not keen on the prospect of playing in claret and blue would be a wise move for the Hammers to make, with other, cheaper options at a similar level [Fabrizio Romano, 28 June] available.
It looks unlikely that Todibo will be heading to East London any time soon, but as Lopetegui rebuilds both the squad and the culture within the club, the Irons faithful certainly won’t mind that.
In other West Ham news, an update has emerged about one young academy gem’s future at the London Stadium as teams line up transfer approaches.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channelfor instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.