Sir Jim Ratcliffe lines up first Man Utd transfer in raid on own club Nice

14 November 2023 , 00:05

1160     0

Sir Jim Ratcliffe lines up first Man Utd transfer in raid on own club Nice

Manchester United are weighing up a swoop for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo as Sir Jim Ratcliffe nears his move to Old Trafford.

The French club are owned by the British businessman, who is set to purchase a minority stake in the Premier League club and take a hands-on role in running their football department. Erik ten Hag wants to add a right-sided centre-half and could turn to the Ligue 1 outfit.

Todibo has previously been on United's radar but turned down a move in the summer with the 23-year-old establishing himself in the south of France. Ten Hag is dealing with an injury crisis at the heart of defence and is ready to dip into the market to bolster his options.

Ratcliffe's imminent involvement in Manchester is set to aid any deal that could take Todibo to Old Trafford. It is likely to be a permanent move, reports The Sun, with Premier League bosses looking to prohibit loans between clubs that share the same ownership.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for the one-cap France international as they plan for life without Thiago Silva. That could accelerate United's plans and the two could yet battle it out for the player's signature heading into the New Year.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

Lisandro Martinez is sidelined for months whilst Raphael Varane too has had his injury problems. It has led Ten Hag to fielding a centre-half pairing of Harry Maguire, who was previously linked with a move away, and Jonny Evans, who was signed in the summer as cover.

Jean-Clair Todibo's stock is on the rise

United's January recruitment could be aided by a midseason sale if Ratcliffe does get the chance to review the playing squad. Jadon Sancho is among those who could be moved on, especially given his fallout with the manager, thus seeing him train away from the first-team.

Todibo previously told on his decision to remain at Nice: "It’s very clear the club [Nice] would not have sold me this summer. I have given it [the links to United] in-depth thought and I remained calm. I didn’t want to make the wrong choice. I expect to be presented with the full picture. What are you expecting from me? Why am I signing? You shouldn’t arrive at a club asking yourself this. I know what I have in Nice, so why leave? Everything must be clear.

"I’m not going to lie and say that I didn’t have the thought to tell myself that perhaps I should play in a 'top club' to increase my chances [of playing for France], but there are also guarantees when playing at Nice. It was an immense joy to wear the blue jersey for the first time, to sing the Marseillaise. I have always said that wearing the French team kit was the Holy Grail for me, so there was a lot of pride and emotion."

Samuel Meade