Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'view Jean-Clair Todibo as prime target to replace Harry Maguire'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 08 August 2023

Man United 'view Todibo as prime target to replace Maguire'

Manchester United allegedly view Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo as their 'priority target' to replace Harry Maguire this summer.

Manchester United have reportedly identified Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo as their 'priority target', should Harry Maguire leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.

Maguire's future remains the subject of much speculation, with West Ham United said to be making a strong push to bring the England international to the London Stadium.

The Hammers are thought to have now failed with two separate offers of £20m and £30m for the former Sheffield United youngster, with the second bid believed to have been part of a move for Scott McTominay.

David Moyes's side are said to have offered £60m to sign both Maguire and McTominay, but Man United are believed to be holding out for slightly more money.

Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag has said on more than one occasion this summer that he is planning to keep hold of Maguire, but the 30-year-old is the fourth-choice centre-back at Old Trafford, and there is little prospect of him enjoying a regular run of matches in the new season.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on July 30, 2023 © Reuters

Maguire only started eight Premier League matches last term and is behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order for the spots in the middle of the defence.

The England international is said to be open to making the move to West Ham, who will play in the Europa League in the coming season due to their 2022-23 Europa Conference League success.

Todibo has recently been linked with a move to the Red Devils, and according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 23-year-old is a leading transfer target for the club.

Romano claims that the former France Under-20s international is not the only centre-back Man United are monitoring, but he is currently the English outfit's 'priority target' to replace Maguire.

Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo in action with Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe on April 8, 2023 © Reuters

There has already allegedly been contact between the 20-time English champions and Todibo's representatives to discuss a potential move to Manchester.

The defender started his professional career at Toulouse before making the move to Barcelona in 2019, but he only featured on five occasions for the club during a disappointing spell.

Todibo spent time out on loan with Schalke 04, Benfica and Nice during his time at Camp Nou before completing a permanent move to the latter in the summer of 2021.

The Frenchman has featured on 103 occasions for his current side, scoring twice, including 46 outings in all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign.