Manchester United might need more than one centre-back this summer and the club have been rocked by a ban on signing Jean-Clair Todibo.
There is a real risk Jarrad Branthwaite is simply too expensive for Manchester United if Everton do not drop their asking price. And while Leny Yoro is cheaper due to his contract at Lille expiring in 2025, Real Madrid are frontrunners.
This is why it was useful for Ineos to have Jean-Clair Todibo in the back-pocket. They could simply have sold to themselves, sending the centre-back from Nice to Manchester United.
A deal is no longer possible, with UEFA trying to restrict trade between clubs – which Sir Jim Ratcliffe branded as ‘unfair’.
Manchester United supporters frustrated
Manchester United supporters know how it goes by now. It’s not an issue, until Manchester United are involved.
These rules were not in place when Red Bull Salzburg sold Benjamin Sesko to RB Leipzig in 2022, for half of the price they quoted Manchester United. Both clubs were playing in the Champions League at the time.
United and Nice are not permitted to do the deal because both teams are competing in the Europa League next season.
Manchester City are able to sign Savio, after a strong season at partner club Girona, because he was actually on loan from another of their partner clubs, Troyes. Even though he has never played for the French side.
Some Manchester United fans on social media were trying to come up with their own loopholes for a Todibo deal.
One wrote on X: “Jean-Clair Todibo from OG Nice to FC Lausanne-Sport who loans him out to Manchester United, here we go!”
The problem with this, is Swiss side Lausanne lack the capital within their own budget and financial parameters to pay fair market value for Todibo.
Another suggested: “Terminate Jean-Clair Todibo contract at Nice – Sign free agent Jean-Clair Todibo at Manchester United. If you want to be like Real Madrid, act like Real Madrid, millions saved.”
This is certainly creative, but we would expect UEFA would see straight through it, and come up with a rule to block it.
Another suggested taking the matter to the courts, writing: “Are INEOS planning on taking action against UEFA regarding the Todibo situation? I hope SJR doesn’t let this one go!”
One possible solution we have come up with, is whether United could buy Todibo, but simply not register him to play in the Europa League, removing the possibility of him playing against Nice.
Ineos face Ligue 1 dilemma
The Jean-Clair Todibo situation is tricky because rival Premier League clubs have been interested. The Express has this year reported interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, while L’Equipe report Aston Villa are now interested.
Ineos are now presented with the dilemma of strengthening one of Manchester United’s Premier League rivals.
Another problem has emerged too. French publication Foot01 report Ligue 1 side Marseille have entered the race to sign Todibo.
While this would keep him away from United’s rivals, it could prove incendiary to Nice fans, strengthening one of their competitors.
Ratcliffe on Todibo
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is unhappy at the restriction on trade imposed by UEFA, and confirms Todibo was interested in joining Manchester United.
He told The Times: “I get some of it. The public wants to feel there is no interference.
“We have a player in Nice who was really interested in joining Manchester United.
“They have said we can sell him to another Premier League club but we can’t sell him to Manchester United and that’s not fair on the player and I don’t see what that achieves.”