Fabrizio Romano: West Ham 'hijacking' defender deal as Irons strike €40m agreement for former Man Utd target

West Ham United are closing in on a surprise deal for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo after hijacking Juventus’ move for the player, according to reports. The Hammers had agreed a transfer with Nice back in mid-July over a season-long with an option to buy for around £27m - according to BBC Sport - but the move never materialised as Tobido preferred a switch to Serie A giants Juve.

The 24-year-old had also been of interest to Premier League rivals Manchester United but UEFA blocked a possible deal as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos firm has ownership stakes in both Nice and the Red Devils. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also held an interest but that never materialised into formal bids for the defender. However, despite Tobido wanting to move to Turin, West Ham have moved again to sign the player according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. He reports an agreement has been reached over a loan deal with a €40m obligation to buy while Nice have also secured a sell-on clause within the agreement. West Ham director Tim Steidten travelled out to France to seal the move with the Hammers aiming to complete a medical on Friday.

West Ham United get their 2024-25 Premier League campaign underway next weekend as they welcome Aston Villa to the London Stadium on Saturday, August 17 for a 5.30pm kick off. It will be the Hammers’ first competitive outing under Julen Lopetegui, who was appointed at the end of last season following the departure of David Moyes. It has so far been a busy summer for the Irons, who have added six new players to their squad.

Max Kilman has joined from Wolves while Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have arrived from Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund, respectively. West Ham have also signed Luis Guilherme from Brazilian side Palmeiras while Guido Rodriguez and Wes Foderingham have joined on free transfers. The Irons are out to bolster their central defensive options and - according to Sky Sports - are also interested in Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and Germany and Borussia Dortmund veteran Mats Hummels.

Hummels is a free agent after leaving Dortmund at the end of his contract, having joined the club for a second spell in 2019. He came through the academy at Bayern Munich before joining Dortmund permanently in 2009. He moved back to Bayern in 2016 but was back at Signal Iduna Park three years later. Brighton and Hove Albion have also been credited with an interest in the defender.

Meanwhile, Chalobah’s future at Chelsea looks increasingly uncertain after he was left out of the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. According to The Telegraph Crystal Palace are also interested in the defender, who will now train away from the rest of the Blues’ first team squad. BBC Sport previously reported the player is happy to take his time over deciding his future. The 25-year-old came through the academy at Chelsea and had loan spells at Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town and Lorient before establishing a place for himself in the senior squad.