Tottenham exploring Jean-Clair Todibo deal after learning price
- Tottenham and Nice in talks over Jean-Clair Todibo
- France international open to January move
- Spurs informed of price likely needed to pry him away from Ligue 1 side
Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with OGC Nice over Jean-Clair Todibo after learning that a deal could be struck at £35m, sources have told 90min.
Spurs have made a fine start to life under new head coach Ange Postecoglou and are looking to reinforce their squad in the January transfer window.
90min revealed in November that Tottenham will prioritise the signing of a centre-back, which was an area in need of strengthening even before Micky van de Ven sustained a long-term hamstring injury. In the Dutchman's absence, full-backs Ben Davies and Emerson Royal have played centrally.
Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, Everton's Ben Godfrey and Union Saint-Gilloise's Koki Machida are among the defenders Spurs are considering, but one player rapidly rising up their shortlist is France international Todibo.
The 23-year-old is enjoying a fine season with Nice, who sit second in Ligue 1 to Paris Saint-Germain. In 14 league games, Todibo has conceded only eight goals.
90min understands Tottenham and Nice are in tentative contact about a deal. While the French side are currently reluctant to sell Todibo due to their title push, the player and his representatives are open to a move. Intermediaries have told Spurs putting forward a package worth roughly £35m may be able to get a deal done and that is why they are currently pursuing it.
Todibo, who is also a target for Manchester United, first joined Nice from Barcelona on loan for the second half of the 2020/21 season, forming a fine centre-back partnership with Arsenal star William Saliba. His current defensive colleague is 40-year-old former Bayern Munich stalwart Dante.
In September 2023, Todibo made his senior debut for the France national team, while his second cap came in their romping 14-0 win over Gibraltar two months later.