From some comments on the Claret and Hugh readers’ page it is noticeable that many are worried that the Loan agreement which West Ham and Nice have agreed for Jean Clair Todibo might be just that, a loan-only agreement or a less than satisfactory arrangement for the Hammers whereby the defender slips away from London Stadium after 12 months either back to Nice or, worst still, ends up at Old Trafford.
Fear not!
Sean Whetstone on his X account confirmed the details:
“The signing of Jean – Clair Todibo is a permanent signing in all but name, to help with transfer budgeting, PSR rules and amortisation, club sources have confirmed. West Ham will pay a £4.2 million loan fee this summer with the obligation to buy based on appearances falling next summer and then paid in instalments to Nice.”
And then a further comment from Sean later:
So, it is a loan agreement for £4.2 million. Once Todibo starts FIVE games – then the balance will be paid in instalments starting next summer, when the ‘option’ kicks in.
This would make sense as far as financial fair play rules, pushing the main payment away from this year’s total spend which is accruing rapidly!
So, no fears about Todibo disappearing after twelve months. As long as he racks up FIVE starts then he will be a Hammer for many years to come.
Unless he is an unmitigated disaster à la Kalvin Phillips, we can look forward to him becoming a permanent fixture at the heart of the Hammers defence.
Holding my breath for the first five games to be injury free then! That’s excellent news. Signing of the season.
Holding my breath for next summer to see if this is an “arrangement” to sell on to Utd as part of the AWB deal.
He was their top target this summer, but UEFA rules stopped it.
Strange that both looked off the table then the AWB transfer moves into full swing immediately after Todibo signs … just a thought.