Manchester United have been blocked from signing Jean-Clair Todibo from sister club Nice, but HITC understands they are working to try and find a resolution.
Uefa regulations confirm that whilst clubs under the same ownership could compete in the same tournament – they could not also transfer players as they would break their rules as they would be seen to be having a “decisive influence” over the operations of more than one club in the same competition.
And that means that Manchester United and French side Nice, also owned by INEOS, can’t do deals this summer as they are both due to participate in next season’s Europa League.
As HITC revealed earlier this year, United have an interest in a number of Nice players including Todibo, Khephren Thuram and Melvin Bard.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirms Man United can’t sign players from Nice
Now HITC can confirm that talks were advancing for Todibo but as it stands they have been informed that a deal can’t progress.
Speaking to Bloomberg, United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – whose INEOS company has a stake of just over 25% of the Old Trafford giants – has confirmed that United have been denied the chance of signing a player from Nice – which HITC can confirm is Todibo.
“We’ve got a player, for instance, at Nice who was really interested in joining Manchester United and I think he probably had the capability of being in the United squad,” Ratcliffe explained.
“They’ve said we can sell him to another Premier League club, but we can’t sell to Manchester United. But that’s not fair on the player and I don’t see what that achieves.”
HITC is told that United officials are ‘frustrated’ by the situation and are currently talking with Uefa, who released guidance to clubs in May over what merits a club having a “decisive influence” of more than one club, which included transfers.
United believe there are precedents that have previously been set that would allow them to sign Todibo and talks are continuing.
HITC has previously revealed that United likely want two central defenders this summer and now talks over a deal for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Todibo have been revealed, confirming that stance.
Ratcliffe maintains he wants United to emulate Real Madrid
In terms of the transfer market, Ratcliffe added that they have big plans, but admit getting to the level of a ‘Real Madrid’ would take time, but that is their target.
“There’s room for improvement everywhere we look at Manchester United, and we will improve everything. We want to be where Real Madrid is today, but it’ll take time.
“Manchester United doesn’t have any players that are valued at £100m or more. I’m not confident that we’ll solve all the problems in the first transfer window.”
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