Aheed Abrar
OGC Nice manager hopes Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo stays this summer
Francesco Farioli, the manager of OGC Nice, hopes Jean-Clair Todibo will stay at the club this summer amidst interest from Manchester United.
In the ongoing transfer window, the French national has been linked with a move away from the Ligue 1 outfit. To that end, the Red Devils are one of the number of teams keeping tabs on the defender.
As per L’Equipe (h/t Manchester Evening News), the Old Trafford side have had a £34 million fee agreed with Les Aiglons for the 23-year-old. However, it remains to be seen whether the centre-back will make a move in the coming days.
But speaking to the media via MEN, Farioli is optimistic about Todibo staying put at Nice. The Italian head coach would be delighted to have the defender in his ranks at the end of the window.
“There is a chance that he stays, and I would be happy because he’s a quality player and he would be very hard to replace. I hope the rumours stay rumours.”
In January 2021, the centre-back signed for the Ligue 1 outfit on loan from Barcelona. After failing to make a mark at the Blaugrana, the French national made the switch to Les Aiglons, which was made permanent in the summer of 2021.
Since then, Todibo has been a key player for Nice. The defender has been ever-present in the Allianz Riviera side’s starting lineup over the years. He started in their first game of the 2023/24 term but was not in the squad for the second fixture in the league.
As for United, our backline has an abundance of talent. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been the first-choice options for Erik ten Hag since last season.
The gaffer has also consistently called upon Victor Lindelof when needed. Harry Maguire is also at the Dutch manager’s disposal, while Luke Shaw also played in the central defensive position on a few occasions in the previous campaign.
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At the moment, it does not seem necessary for the Old Trafford side to spend on bolstering their backline. Therefore, unless there is a departure from the defence, it would not make sense to sign Todibo.
