6 months ago
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Long-time Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo says he has had ‘a little discussion’ about his future and wants to play ‘in the best competitions in the world’.
The 24-year-old enjoyed another strong campaign with Nice, helping the side secure a place in Europe after a fifth-place finish, and conceded just 29 goals in the process – the fewest in Ligue 1.
He may have played his last game for the French club, however, with Todibo widely expected to be on the move this summer amid longstanding interest from the Premier League.
Tottenham enquired about the former Barcelona defender in January, though ultimately decided to sign Radu Dragusin, while United have been linked with a swoop since last summer.
Those rumours have only intensified since Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought his stake in the club, with Ineos also owning Nice, and Todibo is thought to be viewed as the ideal successor to compatriot Raphael Varane – who has played his final game for the Red Devils.
While Todibo is reluctant to give too much away about his future, he has revealed that talks have taken place and he will not shy away from a big move despite a tough time at Camp Nou.
Asked about links with United and Tottenham, Todibo told The Telegraph: ‘Honestly I don’t want to talk about [my future] because of my respect for the fans here and the club also, but we had a little discussion, for sure.’
Probed on whether he might be wary of another big move after struggling at Barcelona, he replied: ‘I think that’s not the reason. The reason was I was 18 when I went to Barcelona. Now I am 24, I am married, I have two kids.
‘My mind is different. I am a national team player. I have to think a little bit more. The life that I want to have means I’m much more thoughtful about what I do.’
On his ambitions, he continued: ‘My ambition is to play in the best competitions in the world and try to be the best version of me.
‘Try to be the best defender, for sure, that I can be.’
Todibo actually spent a week on trial at United nearly a decade ago – also spending a brief period at Nottingham Forest too – and was there in February 2016 when Marcus Rashford made his debut.
‘It was a good experience,’ he says of his United trial. ‘I discovered a little bit what the professional world was like.’
United have struggled at the back this past season with Erik ten Hag forced to field eight different centre-back partnerships due to a raft of injuries, and signing a new central defender is one of the club’s top priorities this summer.
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