OGC Nice demands shared as West Ham United table offer for Jean-Clair Todibo

OGC Nice will not entertain any negotiations for Jean-Clair Todibo this summer unless they receive a bid of at least £33.8million after rejecting a bid from West Ham, according to Nice-Matin.

Writing on their website (2 July), the news outlet report that the Ligue 1 club have already rejected a bid worth £29.6m from West Ham this summer.

But they have made £33.8million their “floor price” for talks over a deal, while Nice’s owners INEOS have not given up hope that UEFA will provide approval for them to sell Todibo to Manchester United instead.

West Ham United must make Jean-Clair Todibo decision quickly

Julen Lopetegui has made signing a new central defender his priority this summer, with Max Kilman seemingly the priority target for the Hammers [Give Me Sport, 1 July].

But they are obviously looking at alternative solutions and Todibo would arguably be an even better signing considering his age and profile.

Nice aren’t looking to stand in Todibo’s way when it comes to a transfer but they’re very aware that he is their biggest asset and looking at the current market for central defenders, they know they can get a lot of money for him.

West Ham Julen Lopetegui
West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui

But with Manchester United sharing owners with Nice and having an interest in the defender, this isn’t a deal that is going to drag on all summer. If UEFA grant permission for them to do business together, then he will go to Old Trafford.

That means Tim Steidten and the manager must make a decision on if they’re serious about this move or not. If they are, a new bid must go in quickly. If they were just testing the water, then it’s job done and they can move on now.

In other West Ham news, the club have been offered a £150k p/w defender for a cut-price transfer.

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