Sir Jim Ratcliffe could help deliver one of Erik ten Hag’s top January targets in his first month in charge if he is allowed to assume control of Manchester United’s footballing operations before Christmas. Man Utd are reportedly chasing the signature of Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.
As Ratcliffe is a majority shareholder in the Ligue 1 side he could work his magic and get the deal over the line for an affordable price. United are in need of a centre-half to bolster their leaky backline and according to Sky Sports Germany, Todibo is right towards the top of the Red Devils’ shortlist.
Benfica’s Antonio Silva is said to be the club’s top priority but the report goes on to add that any deal involving Todibo would not affect the Silva transfer. Todibo was on United’s radar in the summer.
However, the Red Devils were unable to offload Harry Maguire to West Ham so no formal approach was made. Todibo was a key figure for Nice last season making 46 appearances in all competitions.
He is widely considered to be among the best centre-backs in France’s top tier and was recently rewarded for his fine form with a couple of call-ups to the French national team. The 23-year-old was handed his senior debut last month during a 14-0 thrashing of Gibraltar and will be knocking on Didier Deschamps’ door for a place in his Euro 2024 squad.
A move to a Premier League giant like Man Utd in the New Year would no doubt help his case and Ratcliffe could play a crucial part. Man Utd’s board have still not voted on Ratcliffe’s bid for a 25 per cent stake in the club and the drawn-out process is starting to frustrate the British billionaire.
According to the Daily Mirror, he is hoping to get the deal over the line before Christmas to give the club its best possible chance of operating well in the winter transfer window.
Sir Dave Brailsford, Ratcliffe’s chief lieutenant, is ready to begin work on the 71-year-old’s project but his bid still need to receive the green light. Multiple reports suggested the deal would be struck over the last international break yet nothing has been announced at the time of writing.
