Man United “likely” to make £40 million bid for Jean-Clair Todibo | OneFootball

Manchester United are likely to make a bid for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

If there was anybody left who didn’t believe United need a defensive reset, last night’s pathetic 4-0 hammering at Crystal Palace must surely have been the last straw.

55 goals have been shipped by Erik ten Hag’s side this season and an greater number of injuries have plagued the club. So much so that a clearly unfit Jonny Evans was rushed back in to face the Eagles and he took his place beside an out-of-position and desperately out-of-form Casemiro.

The midfield trio of Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount provided little defensive cover for their exposed backline.

Therefore, signing a defender has become imperative for the Red Devils this summer and the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite, Goncalo Inacio and Ronald Araujo have all been recently linked to a move to Manchester.

However, one name that has never been too far away from United’s in the press is that of French defender Todibo, with the 24 year old being linked with a move to Old Trafford since last summer .

It has been reported by some that despite the noise around Branthwaite, Todibo is actually the first choice and the Reds will face competitions from the continent in the form of Atletico Madrid and AC Milan.

GIVEMESPORT have also added fuel to this particular fire by claiming it is “likely” that United will make a £40 million bid for the former Barcelona defender this summer window.

With Branthwaite’s price regularly being quoted at £70 million in a summer of PSR financial restrictions and no Champions League money next season, “Manchester United are increasingly likely to head to Nice with a formal offer for Jean-Clair Todibo after the France international has been identified as a more affordable alternative to Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of the summer transfer window.”

Sources have told the website that, “Manchester United have earmarked Todibo as a key transfer target following internal discussions at Old Trafford, according to GMS sources, and they are increasingly likely to test Nice’s resolve by lodging a formal bid when the summer window opens for business in the coming weeks.”

Whilst Branthwaite is the club’s preferred choice, there is a feeling that Everton will likely play hardball and make any potential deal much more unaffordable, even with the club’s huge financial issues.

Consequently, “Todibo has been pinpointed as a centre-back who they are already aware could be drafted in with more ease, thanks to him potentially being available for a cut-price fee of £40million, while the fact that members of the hierarchy have trust in him due to being owners of Nice is key.”

“GMS sources have been told that Manchester United’s new-look hierarchy have set their sights on acquiring two central defenders during the summer”, therefore signing two cheaper options would make more sense than splurging a sizeable proportion of the budget on Branthwaite.

Todibo has been described as “a monster defender” in possession – “as comfortable as any defender in the world, standing out with his ability to ball-carry and pass.” Should INEOS decide to pursue the Frenchman it could be a quicker, simpler and more affordable deal than a convoluted pursuit of Branthwaite.

Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.