Around a week ago, parts of the Catalan media were insistent that Jean-Clair Todibo was closing in on a move to Everton. There were claims of talks between Barcelona and the Premier League side, and a potential fee of €25m was mentioned.
Then Everton appeared to drop out of the race, or at least out of the reports. There was a feeling the Toffees were being used to flush out interest from elsewhere. Given the business done between Everton and Barca in recent years, it was conceivable that the La Liga had offered Todibo up, hoping to again get a big transfer fee sent to them from Goodison Park.
Barcelona now seem to also be looking elsewhere, and Il Mattino reports they’re looking to get clubs, including Everton, involved in an ‘auction’, with the hope of reaching that €25m figure.
It’s ambitious, especially given Todibo hasn’t shone too brightly whilst on loan at Schalke this season. Napoli, Sevilla, Watford, Southampton and FC Koln are the other clubs named as being in the mix.
Marcel Brands will surely be hesitant at letting Everton get involved and potentially paying over the odds.
