'I didn’t want to make the wrong choice' - Why Jean-Clair Todibo turned down Man Utd transfer this summer

France and Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo has revealed why he turned down the chance to join Manchester United in the summer.

WHAT HAPPENED? Todibo was linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer as United were planning to offload Harry Maguire to West Ham. The Red Devils were reportedly plotting a €40 million (£34m/$43m) move for the Frenchman but a deal ultimately did not materialise after Maguire's move to the London Stadium collapsed.

Todibo has now revealed that while he was tempted to join a «top club» like United, he was not too sure of regular game time in the Premier League, which would have hampered his chances of becoming a fixture in Didier Deschamps' France lineup at international level.

WHAT THEY SAID: Speaking to L’Equipe, Todibo said: «It’s very clear the club [Nice] would not have sold me this summer. I have given it [the links to United] in-depth thought and I remained calm. I didn’t want to make the wrong choice. I expect to be presented with the full picture. What are you expecting from me? Why am I signing? You shouldn’t arrive at a club asking yourself this. I know what I have in Nice, so why leave? Everything must be clear.

»I’m not going to lie and say that I didn’t have the thought to tell myself that perhaps I should play in a 'top club' to increase my chances [of playing for France], but there are also guarantees when playing at Nice. It was an immense joy to wear the blue jersey for the first time, to sing the Marseillaise. I have always said that wearing the French team kit was the Holy Grail for me, so there was a lot of pride and emotion."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: The 23-year-old defender has a contract with Nice until 2027. He recently made his debut for France in an international friendly