Chelsea and Man Utd given £50m transfer blow, 'stubborn' claim, alternative eyed

Towering Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo has attracted interest from Premier League clubs during recent transfer windows with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both linked with moves for the player this January.

The 24-year-old made his senior debut for the France international team in September 2023 and looks to be a defender whose stock will continue to rise across Europe in seasons to come.

LondonWorld has the latest reports on Todibo's future from Stamford Bridge, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and interest from Manchester United.

Nice continue to inflate Todibo asking price to over £50m

The Times reports that Nice have recently decided to inflate their asking price for Todibo due to a sell-on bonus in the defender's contract. The French side signed the player from Barcelona in 2021 with the player having developed in the Toulouse academy.

The increased price, which has risen from around £30 million to £50 million over the past six months, appears to have been enough to put Chelsea's London rivals Spurs off the deal. Ange Postecoglou's side are now believed to be turning attention to Genoa's Radu Dragusin instead with confidence that a deal can be completed.

Chelsea face competition from Manchester United - Red Devils have trump card

Chelsea do face fierce competition from Manchester United in their pursuit of Todibo, although the Hard Tackle reports that the Red Devils are also put off by the ever-rising price demanded by Nice.

The Blues are reported to have 'already opened talks' with Nice which has given them an 'upper hand' in the race between Premier League clubs. The French side remain reluctant to sell their star man but Chelsea's proactivity could play in their favour should they meet Nice's financial demands.

While Manchester United may still be unsure whether to go head-to-head with Chelsea on a bidding way, the Red Devils have a trump card to play when it comes to a potential Todibo deal.

New Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe also holds Nice in his portfolio and journalist Rudy Galetti claims that the club could use that connection to help ease discussions over a transfer. The Italian transfer expert took to X to announce that Erik ten Hag's side 'remain in pole' for a £50 million deal.

Chelsea eye up Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace alternatives

Elsewhere, GIVEMESPORT suggests that even Chelsea's money and Manchester United's Ratcliffe connection may not be enough to convince Nice to part ways with their defender.

The outlet reports that it 'seems very unlikely' that the player will leave France this January with the Ligue 1 side remaining purposefully stubborn in discussions to put off suitors. The outlet also claims that it is Manchester United who would beat Chelsea to the move, with the Blues' recent spending limiting their ability to compete in a bidding war.

Should Chelsea need to look elsewhere, The Express reports that the club have ready-made alternatives in Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande and Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi.

Diomande would be free to talk with Chelsea if the London club meet his lofty £70 million release clause but the report suggests that Lisbon could be open to discussing a more realistic fee. No fee has been touted for England international Guehi, but there is no doubt that the Eagles would be reluctant to let their talented 23-year-old go.