09 August 2023 , 12:04
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Manchester United are considering a move for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo after agreeing to sell Harry Maguire to West Ham.
The Hammers have seen their £30million bid accepted for Maguire, who is now poised to end his four-year stay at Old Trafford. The 30-year-old defender initially wanted to stay and fight for his place at United, but he needs regular football to keep his place in Gareth Southgate’s England side.
Erik ten Hag stripped Maguire of the captaincy, handing leadership responsibilities to Bruno Fernandes, and is happy to sell the centre-back who cost £80m from Leicester in 2019. But while he has sanctioned the sale, Ten Hag is keen to find a replacement before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
The Dutchman has stated his desire to have two players competing for every position and he will be short in central defence. The departure of Maguire could be followed by the exit of Eric Bailly, who is in talks with Al-Nassr, leaving him with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof.
While Luke Shaw showed he is capable of filling in last season, and Jonny Evans remains on the books, there is a desire to sign a long-term replacement for Maguire. RMC Sport reports that United have been in contact with Nice to discuss the availability of Todibo.
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Nice are willing to sell the 23-year-old at the right price and United have had ‘constructive’ talks with Todibo’s representatives. Nice sporting director Florent Ghisolfi has previously hinted that the club are open to selling their star players this summer. "If all the parties can find themselves in a transfer, it can be done,” he said in July about Todibo and midfielder Khephren Thuram. “But today, we want to keep them.”
Jean-Clair Todibo could replace Harry Maguire at Manchester United (NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images) HAVE YOUR SAY! Do Manchester United need to sign a replacement for Harry Maguire? Comment below.
Todibo began his career with Toulouse before joining Barcelona, who loaned him out to Schalke, Benfica and then Nice, who made his signing permanent in June 2021. He has been a regular for the French side over the past two years, making 103 appearances in all competitions.
Following a stand-out campaign, in which he played 46 times for Nice, he was called up to the France squad in March by Didier Deschamps for matches against the Netherlands and Ireland.
United have signed Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount so far this summer and are now keen to reduce the size of their squad. Maguire, Bailly, Scott McTominay, Dean Henderson and Fred could all leave in the coming weeks, but new arrivals are possible, with Ten Hag wanting strength in depth.
Ten Hag told Sky Sports about his recruitment plan: "We need all positions doubled because the numbers of games we have to cover. We need the competition and you always have to deal with suspensions and injuries as well as player's form. I need good players but every player needs the perspective to play."