West Ham United are determined to bolster their leaky defense this summer, and French defender Jean-Clair Todibo remains a key target despite OGC Nice rejecting their opening bid, according to The Athletic.
The Hammers submitted a £25.4 million offer for the 24-year-old earlier this week, but it failed to meet Nice’s valuation.
Despite the initial setback, West Ham are not giving up on Todibo. Manager Julen Lopetegui views him as a “prime transfer target” and is pushing for the deal to go through.
Encouragingly for West Ham, Nice are reportedly receptive to selling Todibo this summer. The Ligue 1 club, owned by INEOS (who also hold a minority stake in Manchester United), are seen as willing to “cash in” on the defender. Manchester United’s own interest was reportedly thwarted by UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.
West Ham’s defensive frailties were a major concern last season, conceding the fourth-most goals in the Premier League. Lopetegui is determined to address this issue through the transfer market.
While Todibo is a priority, Wolves captain Max Kilman remains West Ham’s top defensive target. Reuniting Kilman with Lopetegui, his former manager, is a major factor. However, Kilman’s hefty price tag is proving to be a stumbling block.
The potential cost of acquiring both Kilman and Todibo raises questions about West Ham’s transfer budget, overseen by Tim Steidten. Sales of existing centre-backs like Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma could generate funds, but such sales can be slow to materialise.
The Hammers are known for starting with lower bids and negotiating their way up. This approach can be seen as shrewd if it leads to good deals, but it can also be a source of frustration for fans and possibly even the selling club.