Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo has made a major U-turn on his West Ham future after Mohammed Kudus’ controversial move to rivals Spurs.
The West Ham defender’s apparent change of heart comes after a reported threat behind the scenes amid an expectation he would join Man United this summer transfer window.
West Ham and Man United are both on the hunt for a new centre-back.
And the Red Devils have reportedly been biding their time before coming knocking at the London Stadium for Jean-Clair Todibo.
West Ham’s very controversial sale of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur – the first transfer between the bitter rivals for over 14 years – made Todibo moving to Old Trafford even more likely.
If it was not for strict UEFA rules, Todibo would be at Man United right now.
Man United shadow looms over West Ham star Todibo
On paper, he was arguably West Ham’s best and most impressive signing of a busy window last summer.
But Manchester United were always the elephant in the room for the deal due to the club’s owners INEOS being in control of Nice.
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Man United tried to sign Todibo last summer, but UEFA intervened and blocked the transfer due to multi-club ownership rules.
Sensing an opportunity, West Ham’s former technical director Tim Steidten jetted out to Nice to beat Juventus to a deal.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe referred to Todibo in all but name as he confirmed at the time Man United cannot buy directly from Nice due to the ownership situation.
As expected, it has been suggested in some quarters since the move that West Ham were essentially “parking” the ex Barca flop in east London, enabling Man United to sign Todibo for a set price this summer.
Todibo signed on a season-long loan from Nice with an obligation to buy after five Premier League starts – and providing the Hammers stayed in the top flight.
That obligation was indeed triggered, meaning the Hammers have to shell out £32m for Todibo.
The 25-year-old endured a very strange debut season in east London where he looked Champions League one moment and Championship the next.
After a physical altercation with Julen Lopetegui, it was alleged Todibo threatened to leave West Ham unless the Spaniard was sacked.
It has been reported that Todibo regrets signing for West Ham.
As a result there have been lingering claims that Todibo could join the Red Devils this summer.
Todibo ‘threatened to leave’ Hammers if Kudus was sold
Now Man United target Todibo has performed a major U-turn on his West Ham future after the Kudus sale to Spurs.
It has been claimed that Todibo told West Ham he wants out if Lucas Paqueta and Kudus are sold this summer.
Kudus was sold to Tottenham for £54.5m – much to the anger of Hammers fans, who are being goaded by their Spurs counterparts.
That will enable Graham Potter to go out and make some signings, with another centre-back a top priority for the Englishman.
With Kudus gone and Paqueta also likely to be sold if he beats spot fixing charges, it piles the pressure on the Hammers over what to do about Todibo.
Especially after top club insider Sean Whetstone, who is close to co-owner David Sullivan, reported West Ham are open to performing a ‘quick flip’ sale of Todibo this summer to raise money for Potter’s own targets.
With Kudus gone, it gives Manchester United serious encouragement of landing Todibo against the backdrop of those alleged threats to leave east London.
Man United target Todibo performs major U-turn after Kudus sale
But in a major twist, the Frenchman appears to have made it clear he is happy at West Ham and wants to stay, despite admitting he has had a difficult time at the club so far.
Todibo emphatically states the Hammers are about to see a much better version of him next season.
And he says he is glad his move to West Ham has been made permanent, even if it was a mere formality.
Todibo even states he is looking forward to another four years in east London, appearing to completely rule out any chance of demanding to leave over the Kudus sale amid longstanding interest from Man United.
“It’s always better to be fixed on your future, so it’s great to be here another four years, and I’m really happy to now be a permanent West Ham player,” Todibo told West Ham’s website.
“It was a difficult season last year for everyone, and it took me some time to adapt to the Premier League.
‘It took me time to learn about West Ham and the culture’
“I took a lot of time to be fit, and unfortunately I got injured a couple of times, so having this full pre-season is really important for me, and being part of the squad for the entirety of pre-season is going to help me perform to my best this year.
“But I think you always have something to learn, and sometimes you learn more in difficulties and losses, and I think I learnt a lot as a person and as a player, and it’s going to help me.
“It took some time to settle in and learn about the culture of the club, the fans and the players, and I’m happy now because today I know where I am, and I’m very proud to represent our fans.”
As well as Manchester United, Juventus have also been linked with a fresh move while Marseille want him back in France.
But Todibo underlined his commitment to the Hammers, stating the training ground is a much more positive place this summer ahead of what he hopes will be a much-improved season.
“I am confident we’re going to create something big and are ready to try and achieve good things next year…
“I think pre-season gives you a lot. It creates a big confidence, and it also is a benefit to your fitness for sure.
“But it also creates a real team spirit, and I think because we went through a lot of difficult things together, we’re now going to create something big.”
West Ham fans – and Graham Potter – will be dearly hoping he is right.
And they will also be hoping Todibo can start showing what he is really made of next term.