According to Jonathan Johnson, Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo does not intend to transfer to West Ham this summer.
In an interview with CaughtOffside [4 July], the French football expert stated that although Todibo is eager to join the Premier League, the London Stadium would not be his first choice location, even though the Hammers had made a bid of more than £29 million for the center-back [Florian Plettenberg, 2 July].
Johnson, a CBS Sports correspondent, continued by saying that Todibo might wait it out in the hopes that a transfer to Old Trafford would happen since Manchester United, the other Premier League team owned by the same corporation as Nice, INEOS.
“The situation with Todibo remains open,” he stated. “West Ham has made the main offer thus far this summer.”
“Todibo would enjoy moving to the Premier League, but it wasn’t his intended destination.
“Considering the caliber of teams linked to Todibo, I believe it’s safe to say West Ham doesn’t live up to his expectations.”
West Ham can’t be disheartened by Jean-Clair Todibo transfer snub
If there’s one area of the pitch the Hammers are planning major surgery this summer, it’s the centre of defence, and that’s unsurprising given they conceded the fourth-most Premier League goals (74) of any side last season.
In their attempt to solve this issue position, the club is linked to a number of names, including Todibo. Wolves captain Max Kilman is also getting close to making a big-money move to the London Stadium [The Sun, 23 May].
Kilman’s arrival is an improvement over the Irons’ current defensive depth, but with players like Nayef Aguerd’s futures in doubt, new head coach Julen Lopetegui will still want to add more strength.
It would be prudent for the Hammers to avoid spending nearly £30 million on a defender who is not excited about the idea of playing in claret and blue when there are other, more affordable choices at a similar level available [Fabrizio Romano, June 28].
The Irons supporters won’t mind that Todibo isn’t expected to return to East London anytime soon as Lopetegui works to restore the team’s culture and roster.
