Reports suggest that Manchester United are interested in signing Jean-Clair Todibo, a centre-back from Nice, for a fee of around £51.6million.
The French defender has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs, including Tottenham, Chelsea and United.
However, Spurs have cooled their interest in Todibo after securing Radu Dragusin from Genoa for £25m, leaving the other two clubs to battle for his signature.
Chelsea have already seen their £52m offer for Benfica’s Antonio Silva turned down, which could give them an edge over United in the race for Todibo.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, the Italian journalist who writes for CaughtOffside, Nice are not willing to let go of the 24-year-old this month.
Romano claims that Todibo is expected to leave Nice at the end of the season, but there is no clear frontrunner for his services.
Another report from CaughtOffside states that Nice will ask for £51.6m for Todibo, who has impressed United after Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns a 25 per cent stake in the club, did some research in the market.
The report adds that United have been in touch with Nice, but the negotiations are not advanced yet.
Meanwhile, Fichajes, a Spanish outlet, reports that Erik ten Hag, the manager of United, is looking for a new centre-back and has Silva and Todibo on his shortlist.
READ ALSO Erik Ten Hag Defends Manchester United Flop, Van De Beek’s Lack of Game Time at the Club
The report says that Ten Hag needs a replacement for Raphael Varane, who is set to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Varane, who joined United from Real Madrid for £34m in 2021, has not been a regular starter under Ten Hag, who prefers Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans.
It seems unlikely that Varane will extend his stay at Old Trafford, unless he agrees to take a pay cut.
Fichajes also reports that Ten Hag wants to strengthen his attack and midfield, and has his eyes on Joao Palhinha, a Fulham midfielder who could fill in for Casemiro, who is linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
For the striker position, Ten Hag is interested in Lois Openda from RB Leipzig, Victor Osimhen from Napoli, and Ivan Toney from Brentford, who will be back from his eight-month ban in January.
Toney and Osimhen are also on the radar of Chelsea and Arsenal, who are desperate for some firepower in front of goal.
