West Ham United make new Jean-Clair Todibo offer as decision made
West Ham staged a “comeback” offer for Jean-Clair Todibo but the Nice defender has decided on his future, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Italian newspaper reported in their print edition (31 July, page 23) that the Hammers had made an improved loan offer for Todibo “in the last few hours”, with Todibo’s heart still set on a move to Juventus.
The French centre-back has reiterated his preference on a transfer to Turin, with Juventus’ offer of an initial loan before a £25–29.5million permanent transfer next summer having been on the table for days.
The Hammers’ own loan-to-buy offer would reportedly be a better deal for Nice than the one Juventus have pitched, but Todibo’s intention to move to Serie A ahead of the London Stadium hasn’t changed.
West Ham may have to move on from Jean-Clair Todibo transfer
There’s no doubt that the Irons have the ability to financially match each and every one of Juventus’ bids for Todibo this summer, but the player himself doesn’t seem keen on a move to East London [Sky Italy, 25 July].
Having already signed Max Kilman for £40m so far this summer, adding Todibo for an eventual fee close to that would give Julen Lopetegui one of the best centre-back partnerships in the Premier League.
However, with Todibo seemingly refusing to entertain the prospect of a switch to the London Stadium, the Hammers shouldn’t be putting so much effort into a transfer which doesn’t look like happening [Sky Sports, 22 July].
Lopetegui’s squad has several other gaping holes that require the club’s attention, most pressingly right-back and up front, and the money set aside for Todibo’s transfer could be spent wisely elsewhere.
Having Kilman and Todibo at the back could see the Irons significantly reduce the 74 goals they conceded last season, but with the latter not budging on his transfer preference, the time is right to move on.
In other West Ham news, an injured star has joined up with the Hammers’ squad as he continues his recovery in pre-season.
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