Manchester United were regularly linked with OGC Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo this summer, but a move failed to materialise.
The Red Devils were looking to bolster their defence amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Harry Maguire, and the 23-year-old was one of the players on their radar as a potential replacement.
However, Maguire remained at Man United after turning down the chance to join West Ham United after both clubs agreed to a £30 million deal.
The England international refused to leave as United did not meet the financial terms he desired before sealing an exit.
Todibo has claimed that joining the Old Trafford club was not in his plans after he thought things through, insisting he had doubts over a move as many things were unclear.
“I gave it a lot of thought,” the former Barcelona man told L’Equipe (via Matt Spiro) when asked about the links to Man United. I didn’t want to make a mistake.
“These days I wait until I’m presented with the whole project. I know what I’ve got at Nice. Why go into unknown? I need everything to be clear.”
Dubbed ‘a very, very talented player’ by his former teammate Aaron Ramsey, Todibo has emerged as one of the best defenders in the Ligue 1 over the last two seasons, and he is slowly establishing himself as a starter for France.
He has played in three league games this term, weighing in with an assist, while he also played all 90 minutes as Les Bleus lost 2-1 to Germany in a friendly on Tuesday.
There were no guarantees that the Frenchman would have been able to force his way into the Man United starting XI ahead of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane had he moved to the Theatre of Dreams, and it appears he was unwilling to take such a gamble at this point in his career.
The Red Devils signed Jonny Evans until the end of the season after he impressed manager Erik ten Hag in pre-season.
The Northern Ireland international and Maguire finished as the centre-back pairing against Arsenal last time out following injuries to Martinez and Victor Lindelof.
Man United would have loved to sign Todibo or another centre-back in the summer to bolster their defensive ranks, but Maguire’s decision to stay made such a move impossible.
They will now have to make do with their current options until January.
