Things appear to be going from bad to worse for Chelsea as the January transfer window looms. The Blues have endured a shaky start to the season, and they now look set to miss out on securing the signature of Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won just six of their opening 17 Premier League matches, meaning that they head into the busy festive period sitting in 10th place in the table and need significant investment if they are to achieve their goal of securing European football.
Chelsea are relying on numerous stars returning from injury and hitting the ground running, including Christopher Nkunku, but also the January transfer window. Todd Boehly is expected to continue his spending spree next month, with reinforcements required in all departments.
With Trevoh Chalobah departing and Thiago Silva reaching the twilight of his career, the Blues are searching for a new long-term centre-back and reports emerged recently that France international Todibo is firmly among their considerations. However, they aren’t alone in their admiration of the 23-year-old.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have opened talks with Nice to sign Todibo in January and made contact with his entourage.
Spurs are desperate to bring in at least one new centre-back and have shortlisted the ex-Barcelona star, valued at £35million, as one of their priorities as they feel that his desire to play out from the back will meet the demands of Ange Postecoglou.
Chelsea could be tempted to hijack the move whilst talks are at an early stage, though it is not only Spurs that they are dealing with either. Manchester United have had the central defender on their shortlist of targets since early in the summer transfer window, and their route to securing his signature could be set to become significantly simpler over the coming weeks.
Nice owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is waiting to secure a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils, and his presence at both clubs would mean that he would play a major role in enabling Todibo to make the switch between his two outfits. However, the INEOS businessman must consider the detrimental effect that it would have on his French side given that they are second in the Ligue 1 and appear to be the likeliest contenders to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the title.
