Despite Manchester United’s long-standing interest in the center-back, Jean-Clair Todibo’s move to Tottenham in January was made possible by kind owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe is getting close to completing an agreement to purchase 25% of United from the Glazers, and he will take over as manager of the team’s football operations.
The upcoming agreement should not, however, hinder Spurs’ efforts to sign Todibo if the London team is able to pay Nice’s asking price, which is reportedly close to £35 million.
Spurs are reportedly ahead of United in the battle to sign the France international defender after they opened negotiations with the Ligue 1 team.
Nice is willing to negotiate with Spurs for the right price instead of waiting for United.
Along with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Todibo has reportedly received assurances from Spurs during talks with his representatives that he will play a significant role in the first team.
Todibo, meanwhile, is still a target for many other elite European teams, thus Spurs may still have to contend with stiff competition in January from teams like United, Liverpool, AC Milan, and Bayern Munich.
A center-back has been Spurs’ primary objective in January, and Ange Postecoglou has urged the team to shift gears and get things done early in the month.
Since hobbling off against Chelsea on November 6, Van de Ven has been out due to a hamstring issue, while Romero is just one yellow card away from serving his second suspension of the year.
Complete-backs Since Postecoglou does not have long-term ambitions for Eric Dier, whose contract expires in the summer, and Ashley Phillips, an 18-year-old summer acquisition, is still inexperienced, Emerson Royal and Ben Davies have filled in at centre back.
