Sir Jim Ratcliffe lines up first Man Utd transfer in raid on own club Nice
Manchester United are weighing up a swoop for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo as Sir Jim Ratcliffe nears his move to Old Trafford.
The French club are owned by the British businessman, who is set to purchase a minority stake in the Premier League club and take a hands-on role in running their football department. Erik ten Hag wants to add a right-sided centre-half and could turn to the Ligue 1 outfit.
Todibo has previously been on United's radar but turned down a move in the summer with the 23-year-old establishing himself in the south of France. Ten Hag is dealing with an injury crisis at the heart of defence and is ready to dip into the market to bolster his options.
Ratcliffe's imminent involvement in Manchester is set to aid any deal that could take Todibo to Old Trafford. It is likely to be a permanent move, reports The Sun, with Premier League bosses looking to prohibit loans between clubs that share the same ownership.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for the one-cap France international as they plan for life without Thiago Silva. That could accelerate United's plans and the two could yet battle it out for the player's signature heading into the New Year.
Lisandro Martinez is sidelined for months whilst Raphael Varane too has had his injury problems. It has led Ten Hag to fielding a centre-half pairing of Harry Maguire, who was previously linked with a move away, and Jonny Evans, who was signed in the summer as cover.
United's January recruitment could be aided by a midseason sale if Ratcliffe does get the chance to review the playing squad. Jadon Sancho is among those who could be moved on, especially given his fallout with the manager, thus seeing him train away from the first-team.
Todibo previously told L’Equipe
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
