Jean-Clair Todibo explained why he rejected Manchester United before Tottenham came knocking
If Jean-Clair Todibo does join Tottenham in January, it won’t be a decision made lightly by the Frenchman.
talkSPORT understands that the OGC Nice centre-back is Ange Postecoglou’s top target for the January window after an injury to Micky van de Ven and some erratic displays from Cristian Romero.
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Spurs have held tentative talks with the Ligue 1 outfit for the 23-year-old defender who was long-projected to be one of the world’s best.
Signed by Barcelona in 2019 after breaking through as a youngster at Toulouse, it didn’t work out for Todibo in Spain, nor did it on loan at Schalke in Germany or Benfica in Portugal.
Since 2021, though, he’s found a home on the French Riviera with Nice, and he’s unlikely to give up that stability easily.
Manchester United know that all too well, having tried to land the defender in the summer.
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They failed in their pursuit, though, and Todibo later explained why in an interview with L’Equipe.
He said: “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.
“I experienced it differently from my previous situations in my career. My thinking was much more in-depth, thoughtful. I didn't want to make a mistake in my choice. I remained very calm.
“Reflection is much more important than when I started. I'm waiting to be presented with the complete project.
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“What is expected of me? Why am I coming? You shouldn't arrive at a club like that. I know what I have at Nice. Why go into the unknown? So, everything must be clear. My first transfer, I was 18 years old. The thinking was not as thorough.”
On top of Todibo’s uncertainty over leaving Nice, there’s the added complication for Spurs of Jim Ratcliffe.
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The British businessman owns Nice, and is currently in the process of finalising a deal to by 25 per cent of Man United.
Should that deal progress, it may make things even more difficult for Spurs to land their top target, with Ratcliffe unlikely to be willing to sell to a top four rival.
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