Jean-Clair Todibo has been in the rumour mill perhaps more than he should have been over the past six months, with claims of interest from many clubs seemingly exaggerated.
Aston Villa are now presented by Foot Mercato as being more interested than Manchester United, with reports around the latter encouraged by the Sir Jim Ratcliffe connection.
Todibo plays for Nice, who like Manchester United are owned by Ineos. That has been one aspect which has fuelled rumours likely beyond reality.
The other aspect is that Todibo used to play for Barcelona, and they’re due a percentage of a future sale. That’s encouraged the Catalan media to take any hint of interest, for example from Manchester United or Arsenal, and hype it beyond anything it ever was.
That’s all part of assuring Blaugrana fans that income will be on the way and therefore the club will be able to make signings.
Foot Mercato report Todibo has an ‘exit voucher’ from Nice, which means he’ll be allowed to leave. He wasn’t selected for France’s Euro 2024 squad and therefore has time now to arrange his future.
According to the report, Bayer Leverkusen have the defender at the top of their list, and Borussia Dortmund are ‘more than convinced’. Juventus are said to have ‘started discussions’.
From the Premier League, it’s Aston Villa pushed out as the likeliest.
We’re taking all this with a pinch of salt. Interest in Todibo has been hyped too much in recent months, and whilst that’s not to say there isn’t anyone keen – there will be – it’s hard to now take every claim seriously.
Nevertheless, Foot Mercato report ‘things are happening’ with regards to his future.
