Jean-Clair Todibo was repeatedly linked to Everton throughout the last transfer market, with Barcelona looking for a destination for the defender.
Despite early talk from the Catalan media trying to build up the idea of Premier League clubs battling to sign the player, the only serious English approach came from Fulham.
As part of their desperate search for a central defender, the Cottagers were willing to spend €18-20m. Todibo is said to have turned this down, although Fulham were chasing so many defensive options that it can’t be certain they’d have gone through with the deal anyway.
Kia Joorabchian was involved in the saga, and France Football explain the agent’s camp believed a spot could become available at Everton. The suggestion is Carlo Ancelotti had concerns around Yerry Mina and therefore may have been interested.
a case of Everton being targeted, rather than the Toffees chasing the deal themselves.
Ancelotti and Marcel Brands didn’t take the bait, leading Jorge Mendes to enter the scene and build a move to Benfica.
Mendes has sold a dream to Todibo, of proving himself at the Lisbon club and then getting a bigger transfer in the future. Benfica paid €2m for a two year loan and have a €20m buying option.
