Tottenham Pursues £35m-Rated Defender, Fending Off Man United’s Interest!

Reports swirl that Tottenham Hotspur is making moves for a highly sought-after £35m-rated defender, initially earmarked as Manchester United’s top transfer target. Amid talks of a mass clear-out at Old Trafford, Raphael Varane, Casemiro, and Jadon Sancho are reportedly on the market, according to the Daily Mail, Independent, and Guardian.

Donny van de Beek is set to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan, and Anthony Martial could also be on his way out, excluding Van de Beek, with the Independent stipulating that Ten Hag’s approval for sales is conditional on securing appropriate replacements.

For United, selling Varane could hinge on acquiring a new center-back. While the 30-year-old is eager to prove his worth, the club remains open to his potential departure. Enter Jean-Clair Todibo, Nice’s standout defender, emerging as United’s prime target, backed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, part-owner of Nice and incoming United stakeholder.

However, Tottenham has swiftly entered the fray for Todibo. Talks have commenced between Spurs and Todibo, suggesting a keen interest from the player’s end in joining the London side. Football London has now reinforced reports of ongoing negotiations between Tottenham and Todibo, revealing manager Ange Postecoglou’s desire to seal the deal early in the January transfer window.

With Tottenham eyeing a new center-back to bolster their defense, Todibo emerges as a prime candidate. Eric Dier’s future remains uncertain, and Ben Davies, partnering Cristian Romero, hasn’t provided a stable solution in the absence of Micky van de Ven due to injury.

Todibo’s attributes, particularly his ball-carrying and progressive passing skills, align perfectly with Postecoglou’s vision. Football London suggests that Todibo’s prowess could make him an ideal fit for Tottenham’s backline.

The French defender’s potential move from Nice is estimated to fetch a fee between £35m and £40m, signaling a significant investment for Tottenham as they aim to secure defensive stability in the coming transfer window.