Erik ten Hag is seeking replacements for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, who are both rumored to be leaving Old Trafford.
According to French football expert Jonathan Johnson, if Manchester United successfully secures Todibo, Maguire and Lindelof could face challenges in securing their positions. Johnson noted that Todibo is among United’s targeted center-back options for 2024. He suggests that while Todibo wouldn’t be a long-term successor to fellow Frenchman Raphael Varane, his arrival might place Maguire and Lindelof under scrutiny in terms of their roles in the team.
Johnson acknowledged that Nice, Todibo’s current club, will likely demand a substantial fee for his services, likely in the vicinity of £50 million. He also believes a move to Manchester United could potentially occur in the summer rather than in January, considering Todibo’s France international status and Nice’s good start in Ligue 1.
Todibo, at 23 and turning 24 later in the year, is now better equipped for a move to a major European club, contrasting with his earlier transfer to Barcelona in 2019. He faced challenges at Barcelona, had loan spells at Schalke and Benfica, and has now established himself at Nice.
There’s significant interest in Todibo not only from United but also from other major European clubs. It remains to be seen if Manchester United will test Nice’s determination with a bid for Todibo in January, considering these circumstances.