Transfer Centre

West Ham 'pondering' fresh offer for Jean-Clair Todibo after £25.4m bid 'rejected'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2024

West Ham to make improved offer for Man United-linked defender?

West Ham United are reportedly weighing up whether to submit an improved offer for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo after seeing an opening bid rejected.

Following the departure of Angelo Ogbonna, new Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui is believed to be on the lookout for a new centre-back this summer to provide competition for Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

West Ham were strongly linked with Flamengo's Fabricio Bruno last month and had allegedly agreed a deal worth up to £15m, but the 28-year-old had a change of heart and the deal collapsed.

The Hammers have also identified Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman, who worked under Lopetegui at Molineux, as a possible target and are believed to have had a £25m bid rejected.

It now seems that West Ham have turned their attention to another defensive target in the form of Nice star Todibo, who has been linked with both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo pictured training on August 5, 2023 © Reuters

West Ham ponder improved Todibo offer

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham have seen an opening offer of €30m (£25.4m) for Todibo rejected by Nice, but the Hammers are 'pondering a fresh bid' for the Frenchman.

Todibo joined Nice from Barcelona on an initial loan deal in February 2021 before making his move permanent the following summer, and he has since established himself as a star player for the Ligue 1 outfit.

The 24-year-old has played 136 times for Nice across all tournaments and was a standout performer in the 2023-24 campaign, starting 30 Ligue 1 games and helping Les Aiglons keep 15 clean sheets.

Todibo is believed to be high on Man United's radar this summer, but the Red Devils are currently unable to sign the 6ft 3in centre-back due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership ties with both clubs.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui during draw with Fulham on February 24, 2023. © Reuters

West Ham set for 'busy summer' in transfer market

UEFA's ruling that blocks Man United from signing any Nice players has opened the door for West Ham to pursue a move for Todibo at a time when Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has promised a 'busy summer' for the club in the transfer window.

Steidten has instead that West Ham do not have to sell players to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules, telling reporters: "The board and the owner did a good job in the last couple of years. We are able to spend money and don't have to sell.

"I cannot tell you about the typical positions or player names but it will be a busy summer for all of us, for sure.

"The relationship with Julen in terms of recruitment is really important. We are talking almost every day, especially in terms of what type of profiles we are looking for."

West Ham have already made two signings this summer, with teenage attacker Luis Guilherme and experienced goalkeeper Wes Foderingham joining the club from Palmeiras and Sheffield United respectively.