Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to sign Jean-Clair Todibo and Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have aided their pursuit of the Nice defender.
Ange Postecoglou will be chasing a top-four finish at Tottenham Hotspur – and may need a defensive addition in January.
Cristian Romero has joined Micky van de Ven on the treatment table and Tottenham have a severe lack of depth behind them.
Tottenham are already being linked with a host of centre back targets but one seems to be at the top of the list for Spurs heading into the transfer window…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have boosted Tottenham Hotspur hopes of signing Jean-Clair Todibo
Tottenham appear to be very, very keen on signing Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
Reports earlier in December indicated that Tottenham had held talks with Todibo’s representatives to discuss a £35million January move.
Fabrizio Romano added just days later that Tottenham were in direct contact with Nice to try and thrash out an agreement.
One lingering concern has been the involvement of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the chairman of Nice owners Ineos.
Ratcliffe has just agreed to buy a 25% stake in Manchester United -another club how would like to sign Todibo.
However, the London Evening Standard claimed last week that Ratcliffe will not stand in Tottenham’s way if they move for the centre back.
That is a major hurdle cleared and Tottenham may now be in a position to move for Todibo without fear of being blocked in order to pave the way for him to join United – or purely because of being a direct rival to the Red Devils.
Tottenham do have a connection to Ineos; a partnership with Ineos to promote the Grenadier was announced in 2022, so Spurs may be somewhat in Ratcliffe’s good books.
Spurs now appear to have the green light to move for Todibo but there is still some work to be done.
Fabrizio Romano told The United Stand in October that Todibo would ‘love’ to sign for Manchester United in 2024.
Ratcliffe may not stop Tottenham making a move but convincing him to pick Spurs over United will still be a task for Postecoglou and co.
Spurs appear to have a very bright future under the Australian and being part of this project should appeal to many players – but United’s name value still holds major weight despite their struggles, so Todibo’s choice won’t be straightforward.
Ratcliffe’s stance will surely tempt Tottenham into pushing forward with this move, especially with United seemingly not planning to spend in January.
This is be the time for Tottenham strike with a deal for Todibo rather than waiting until the summer and Ratcliffe has surely given Spurs all the encouragement they need ahead of the January window.
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