Untouchable Todibo? Don’t Count on it

West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo could leave the club this summer as part of a potential squad overhaul.

The on-loan Nice centre-back is set to complete a permanent move to the London Stadium at the end of the season, with a £35m transfer fee triggered automatically.

However, despite West Ham’s intention to keep him, Manchester United are reportedly interested and willing to offer the Hammers an instant profit on the 25-year-old Frenchman.

A top Hammers source has informed Claret & Hugh on several occasions that the club plans to build around Todibo, with manager Graham Potter viewing him as a cornerstone of his preferred three-man defence. Rather than selling, West Ham are believed to be actively looking to recruit an additional centre-back to partner him.

But when we spoke to a transfer insider regarding who was likely to stay as part of West Ham’s summer rebuild, we were quickly corrected when we named Todibo among the presumed ‘untouchables.’

“I wouldn’t be so certain about that,” was the initial reply.

“If Lucas Paquetá and Mohammed Kudus leave in the summer, it’s likely Todibo would want out too.”

Rumours of a falling out between Potter and Todibo have been strongly denied by both the club and the player himself, with Todibo previously stating he’s happy in East London.

Still, intentions can only go so far. If Manchester United make a formal offer and the player expresses a desire to leave, West Ham may find themselves reluctantly sanctioning another high-profile exit.