OGC Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo has addressed speculation linking him with a move away from the Ligue 1 during the January transfer window. Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are among the centre-back’s suitors, but he insists that a decision about his future has not been made.
Todibo has been one of Nice’s most impressive players so far this season, helping his side to second in the table and eight points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Alongside veteran defender Dante, the 24-year-old has thrived in Franceso Farioli’s system and played his way into the France national team.
The ex-Barcelona defender’s ability to play out from the back and fuel attacks from deep has caught the eye of top clubs around Europe, with Todibo linked with several sides during the January transfer window.
Interest in the centre-back is expected to be reignited this summer, but Todibo has insisted that he will be the one to ‘announce’ whether he intends to leave Nice or remain with the club. Asked about the transfer speculation last month, he explained: “It’s always like that. During winter there are requests. I’m very calm about it all.
“I am at Nice and we’re having a great season. I don’t have my head elsewhere; if I did it would be difficult for me personally and for the group too. I’m at Nice, I feel really good. We’ll see what happens in the summer but we’re not there yet.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I don’t want to give false hope. For now, I’m here at Nice. Football moves quickly, you never know what’s going to happen. I’ll wait until the summer to make my decision. If my decision is to stay, I’ll announce it, if it is to leave, I’ll announce it too and I’ll thank everyone, but we’re not there yet.
“There are important games coming up. The goal is that if it is to be my final season at OGC Nice, then I want to leave here having done something beautiful with the club. The supporters and the club deserve players who give everything on the pitch, and to achieve something substantial. Personally, if I am to leave, I want to leave something good behind.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe could play a key role in facilitating Todibo’s move to the Premier League, with the 71-year-old owning Nice and also acquiring a 25 per cent stake in United recently. A major defensive shake-up is anticipated at Old Trafford over the summer and with the Red Devils among the ex-Toulouse star’s admirers, there is every chance that Todibo is viewed as the ideal candidate to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s line backline.
