West Ham United‘s pursuit of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo has taken a new turn, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the Hammers remain interested despite fresh competition from Juventus and the recent signing of Max Kilman.
However, it should be remembered the fact remains that West Ham must sell at least one central defender before attempting to by another. Therefore, with neither Kurt Zouma or Nayef Aguerd both in Austria for the Hammers training camp, it’s safe to assume we are not close to a sale.
West Ham’s initial offer of €35 million for Todibo was reportedly rejected by his current club, OGC Nice, some media outlets even suggested West Ham had ended their pursuit altogether
The plot thickened with the emergence of Italian giants Juventus earlier this week as a serious contender for Todibo’s signature.
Juventus’ director, Cristiano Giuntoli, has a personal connection with Todibo, having tried to sign him during his time at Toulouse earlier in his career.
While the acquisition of Max Kilman bolsters the backline, West Ham still requires further defensive reinforcements.
The performances of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd last season were deemed underwhelming for a team aiming to break into the “top six”.
So a potential partnership with Kilman could solidify West Ham’s defence against even the most potent attacks in the league.
But signing Todibo wouldn’t be a straightforward transaction, potentially requiring West Ham to generate funds through player sales.
Todibo’s talent and West Ham’s defensive needs make him a coveted target. However, financial constraints and potential outgoings within the squad could be deciding factors in this particular transfer saga.