Manchester United are trying to make moves in the transfer market after deciding to keep Erik ten Hag as their head coach for the upcoming 2024/25 season. Now there has been a gutting update on their chances of signing a quality defender in OGC Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.
Manchester United Blocked From Signing OGC Nice Defender Jean-Clair Todibo
Why Can’t United Sign Todibo?
Fabrizio Romano has reported that the possibility of the Red Devils signing the French centre-back is currently off because of UEFA’s rules on transfer. That is because the Red Devils’ co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also the owner of OGC Nice and the federation does not want to green-light a major transfer between two clubs with the same owner, especially with both likely to play in the UEFA Europa League next season.
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The journalist also claims that talks over a summer transfer were advanced between the two clubs and that all parties were open to a deal. But they have been notified that UEFA will block the deal from happening due to the ownership situation of the sides, more or less ending Todibo’s ambitions of playing for United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe Fumes At Todibo Transfer Decision
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems deeply unimpressed with UEFA’s decision to stop the Premier League heavyweights from signing the young French centre-back from OGC Nice.
In an interview with Bloomberg, he explained: “They’ve said we can sell him to another Premiership club, but we can’t sell to Manchester United. But that’s not fair on the player and I don’t see what that achieves.”
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The Red Devils have been reported to have an interest in signing Todibo for a long time. However, they will not be able to sign him or anyone else from OGC Nice because Ratcliffe is their owner. Todibo, who was praised as being “very ambitious” last year, helped his side keep 15 clean sheets in 30 Ligue 1 appearances and helped them to a fourth-place finish last season.
