Man Utd ‘must fork out £40MILLION to sign former Barcelona star’ as Sir Jim Ratcliffe targets defensive overhaul
MANCHESTER UNITED are looking to shake things up at the back next season with a number of defensive targets being considered.
But they will reportedly have to fork out £40m if they are to get hold of one of the stars on their list.
The Red Devils have long been linked with OGC Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo and could make a move for the 24-year-old this summer.
Although transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Nice value Todibo at around £40m ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
It’s claimed that Man Utd have been monitoring the defender since last summer, but could face competition for his signature with a number of other Premier League clubs interested.
However, the Old Trafford outfit may feel they will have an advantage in negotiations with Nice being owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.
Ratcliffe had his 27.7 per cent takeover of Man Utd ratified by the Premier League last month and he and his team have since taken over football operations at the historic club.
Todibo has been a crucial part of the Nice team since joining the Ligue 1 outfit from Barcelona in 2021.
He has made 128 appearances for the club and his stand-out performances saw him earn a first cap for the French national team in September of last year.
Todibo left the door open for a potential move away from Nice this summer when asked about his future last month.
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He said: “I am at Nice and we’re having a great season. I don’t have my head elsewhere. If I did it would be difficult for me personally and for the group too.
“I feel really good at Nice. We’ll see what happens in the summer but we’re not there yet. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
“I don’t want to give false hope. For now, I’m here at Nice.”
Before adding: “Football moves quickly, you never know what’s going to happen. I’ll wait until the summer to make my decision.
“If my decision is to stay, I’ll announce it, if it is to leave, I’ll announce it too and I’ll thank everyone, but we’re not there yet.”
Todibo isn’t the only defender being eyed by the Manchester giants with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite also linked with a switch following his breakthrough season on Merseyside.
While the Premier League’s sixth placed side are also rumoured to be targeting Juventus star Gleison Bremer who is said to have a £43m release clause.