Manchester United have been handed a major blow in their pursuit of OGC Nice’s highly sought-after centre-half Jean-Clair Todibo.
United are not the only club eager to lure the Frenchman to the Premier League, with Chelsea also credited with an interest, but they’ve largely been considered front-runners in the race.
However, their chances of signing Todibo this month have taken another huge blow, with the Ligue 1 club’s sporting director claiming the defender is not for sale.
Speaking to French-based reporter Luke Entwisle, Nice sporting director Florent Ghisolfi reaffirmed the club’s position on Todibo, who has been linked with a move to United since last summer.
Todibo is widely considered one of the finest defenders in the French top flight this season, and Nice are determined to keep their prized jewel at least until next summer.
“We want to have stability, and stability is keeping your best players,” Ghisolfi told Entwisle. “JC [Jean-Clair Todibo] and Khephren Thuram are definitely that. We absolutely want to keep them.”
United’s plans to revamp their defensive unit have been well documented this month, and Todibo is firmly at the top of their extensive shortlist.
The Red Devils are gearing up for the potential departure of the experienced Raphael Varane, who could exit Old Trafford when his contract runs out in the summer.
Jonny Evans isn’t guaranteed a new contract either and could follow Varane through the exit door next summer while the long-term futures of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire still hang in the balance.
United have several targets on their extensive shortlist, including Todibo’s Ligue 1 counterpart Leny Yoro, Goncalo Inacio, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou, who is the latest name on the wishlist.
However, Todibo remains United’s top priority while talks of a potential move for Portuguese sensation Antonio Silva have also been floated.
