The agent of OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who has been frequently linked with a move to Manchester United, has revealed that his client rejected a transfer to Liverpool in 2019.
The centre-back was being chased by Jurgen Klopp after his club’s Champions League triumph that summer, while Juventus, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen were also enquiring about the then-Toulouse star.
Todibo is now back in France after two years at Barcelona that yielded only five appearances amid loan spells out at Schalke, Benfica and Nice before his permanent move. The 24-year-old has earned his first two senior France caps this season, albeit it is uncertain whether he will be taken to the European Championships.
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Erik ten Hag is set to search for a new centre-back this summer, with Raphael Varane currently set to depart upon the end of his contract and the future of Jonny Evans - whose deal is also running out - yet to be decided.
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe being the owner of Nice, a deal would be made a lot smoother than an ordinary transfer. However, the player seems strong-willed and would have to be open to the move, given he was adamant on switching to Barcelona over European champions Liverpool five years ago.
Todibo’s agent, Bruno Satin, told Italian media which clubs had been in contact regarding a transfer in 2019. “(Napoli director Cristiano) Giuntoli asked me. But there were Liverpool, Juventus and Leverkusen. But then the boy wanted Barcelona,” he told radio station Kiss Kiss.
Todibo’s Nice contract does not expire until 2027 but he is expected to move on this summer to help prop up the club’s finances. The centre-half has been coy about his future, stating in February: “We’ll see what happens in the summer but we’re not there yet. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”
