As soon as Ineos arrived at Manchester United, links with a move for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo were just a matter of time.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co have seized control of football operations at Old Trafford following their investment into the club December.
United are not the first footballing venture for Ineos.
Ratcliffe’s company already own Swiss side Lausanne-Sport and Ligue 1 side OGC Nice.
United are a different animal in that regard and we have already seen Ineos and Ratcliffe ring the changes at the club.
New CEO, new technical director, new sporting director seemingly on the way… Ineos are leaving no stone unturned.
Ratcliffe’s arrival also opens up the prospect of United doing deals with Nice or even Lausanne-Sport, just as we see Manchester City striking moves with their partner clubs.
Manchester United in Jean-Clair Todibo fight
We have seen reports suggesting that United want to sign Boca Juniors talent Aaron Anselmino and then sent him straight on loan to Nice.
That kind of approach could be valuable as United look to land top young talents for the future, but there is also scope for United to sign players from the other Ineos clubs.
The natural link has been to Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who has been one of Ligue 1’s top centre backs in recent times.
United need a centre back, Nice have a rather impressive one and Ineos allegedly believe that Todibo is ‘perfect’ for United.
That all sounds pretty perfect but United face a battle for Todibo’s signature this summer.
Reporter Rudy Galetti claims that United still want Todibo and view him as a replacement for Raphael Varane this summer.
The problem is that Premier League rivals Chelsea are also keen on Todibo as they look for Thiago Silva’s successor.
Silva has confirmed that he will leave Chelsea this summer and Todibo is now wanted as a replacement.
Galetti adds that Atletico Madrid are also interested in Todibo, meaning United are now in a three-team race for the centre back before the window has even opened.
United may need two centre backs
The hope is that Ineos would swing Todibo’s future in United’s favour; after all, it’s Ineos dealing with Ineos!
Todibo is understood to be valued at around £40million, which doesn’t seem too egregious in the current market.
United may well need two centre backs this summer and will be looking to land cost-effective deals.
Todibo for £40million should leave room for another centre back to come in and bolster the central defensive options at Old Trafford.
Varane is expected to leave on a free transfer this summer, Jonny Evans is out of contract, Victor Lindelof could be sold and Lisandro Martinez has been through injury woes this season.
United need to think about managing the summer budget and leaving enough in the bank to bring in two centre backs.
Todibo could be a key priority for United as the partner for Martinez, but that would leave United to bring in another left-footer and hopefully have balanced centre back options for years to come.