West Ham United have seen a €30million (£25.4m, $32.3m) bid for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo rejected.
The 24-year-old has emerged as a prime transfer target for West Ham this summer and their opening bid for the central defender was rejected earlier this week.
There is still belief that a deal can be concluded for the Frenchman, with Nice open to cashing-in on him in this summer window.
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Manchester United had evaluated a deal for Todibo this summer but such a move was ruled out in light of UEFA guidance on multi-club ownership issued last month which warned clubs subject to multi-club ownership tests against such deals.
Ligue 1 club Nice are owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS, while they and United are currently waiting on a decision over whether they can both play in next season’s Europa League.
Ratcliffe did not name the player, but confirmed that United cannot currently buy directly from Nice due to the ownership situation.
Todibo initially joined Nice on a loan deal from Barcelona in January 2021 before making the move permanent that summer. He has played 119 matches for the French club, scoring one goal.
West Ham have already completed deals to sign Brazilian teenage winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, a free agent, this summer.
West Ham undergoing defensive overhaul
Analysis from The Athletic’s West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas
West Ham are in the market for a centre-back with captain Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd set for uncertain futures. Aguerd has attracted interest from former club Rennes and West Ham are open to offers for Zouma.
Following Angelo Ogbonna’s release in June, Zouma, Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos are the only recognised options in central defence.
West Ham had a £25million offer for Max Kilman rejected by Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kilman is West Ham’s first choice, but Wolves value the defender at £45m. Kilman previously worked under head coach Julen Lopetegui at Wolves.
(Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
