Newcastle United want Jean-Clair Todibo but face a battle with Manchester United in the race to sign the Nice defender this summer.
Newcastle have just paid big money for a centre back with Sven Botman joining the Magpies from Lille last week.
The idea currently seems to be for Botman to partner Dan Burn in an all left-footed pairing, but what if Eddie Howe wants to go down a different route?
There have been links to many right-footed centre backs this summer and another one can be added to the list.
Newcastle United want Jean-Clair Todibo
Foot Mercato claim that Newcastle have shown a keen interest in signing Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
It’s stated that both Newcastle and Manchester United have placed Todibo on their respective wish lists.
Summer bids from the English pair aren’t ruled out for Todibo, whilst Sevilla and Napoli are very interested in signing him.
Nice only paid €8.5million (£7.3million) to sign Todibo from Barcelona last year but now value him at around €20million (£17million).
Todibo, 22, initially impressed on loan at Nice in the second half of the 2020-21 season before turning the move permanent.
Once tipped for a huge future during his time with Toulouse, Todibo was snapped up by Barcelona as they looked to make the Frenchman one of their stars of the future.
That just didn’t happen though and after loan spells at Schalke and Benfica, Todibo has settled down with Nice.
The 6ft 3in defender has been praised as ‘very good technically’ and ‘quick’ by teammate and fellow Newcastle target Amine Gouiri.
If Howe wants to play a back three, going with Todibo as the right-sided defender may not be the worst idea, but it’s hard to see Newcastle paying up for another centre back – especially when Fabian Schar turned in some strong displays under Howe last season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
