By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Everyone knows Jean-Clair Todibo’s time at West Ham is up.
According to reports linking Napoli with the French defender, the Serie A club are considering a move following an injury setback of their own.
From a West Ham perspective, any genuine interest has to be welcomed.
West Ham Want A Permanent Deal
Following Todibo’s bust-up with Nuno Espírito Santo and his subsequent refusal to play for the Hammers head coach again, it became a question of when, not if, he would leave the London Stadium.
The situation has gone far beyond repair and there’s little sense in dragging it out any longer.
As West Ham’s hierarchy have already shown by rejecting tentative loan enquiries, they’re not looking to kick the can down the road.
If Todibo leaves, the preference will be for a permanent transfer.
Failing that, I would expect the owners to insist on a loan with an obligation to buy rather than another temporary arrangement which leaves the same issue to resolve next summer.
At this stage, that feels like the only outcome that suits everybody.
Todibo gets the fresh start he clearly wants, while West Ham can finally draw a line under a transfer which never worked out as anyone had hoped.