Nice have reportedly turned down a substantial €35 million bid from West Ham for Jean-Clair Todibo, as per reports from French media sources. The talented centre-back has been a subject of intense interest recently, particularly from Manchester United, who seemed poised to secure his signature after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS acquired a minority stake in Nice.
The acquisition by INEOS, which also owns Nice, initially suggested a straightforward path for Todibo’s transfer to Manchester United. However, complications arose when UEFA intervened due to both clubs sharing the same ownership and qualifying for the Europa League next season. This UEFA regulation prohibits such intra-club transfers under these circumstances. This development came after Manchester United and Nice had seemingly finalized all the necessary details for Todibo’s transfer.
Publicly expressing his frustration, Sir Jim Ratcliffe criticized UEFA’s intervention, highlighting the irony that Todibo could potentially be transferred to any Premier League club except Manchester United. In response, there have been murmurs that INEOS might pursue legal action by taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in hopes of facilitating Todibo’s move to Manchester United.
Recent reports from L’Equipe indicate that Nice have rejected West Ham’s opening bid of €35 million for Todibo. Although Manchester United is not explicitly mentioned in this context by L’Equipe, HITC claims that negotiations between the Red Devils and Nice are ongoing as they seek a favorable resolution for Todibo’s transfer.
The rejection of West Ham’s bid by Nice suggests a firm stance, indicating that they may be holding out for a higher offer. There are suggestions that Nice could be willing to entertain offers around €40 million, significantly exceeding Todibo’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €22.8 million.
The situation remains fluid, with uncertainties looming over whether Manchester United will pursue legal avenues against UEFA’s ruling. For now, Nice’s decision to reject West Ham’s bid provides Ratcliffe and his team additional time to evaluate their options and potentially explore avenues to facilitate Todibo’s move.
In parallel developments, Manchester United’s transfer ambitions continue to make headlines, particularly with reports indicating progress in negotiations to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. This pursuit suggests that Manchester United could be looking to bolster their defensive ranks with multiple acquisitions, possibly including another centre-back amidst ongoing speculation about the future of Harry Maguire, as reported by talkSPORT.
As the transfer window unfolds, all eyes remain on the developments surrounding Todibo’s potential move and Manchester United’s strategic maneuvers in the transfer market. Stay tuned for more updates as the saga unfolds and clubs navigate the complexities of European football regulations and player acquisitions.