Fabrizio Romano says an ex Barca man has told West Ham he wants to join them as the Hammers frantically work on a solution.
West Ham are closing in on their third signing of the summer with the capture of Max Kilman.
Kilman was Julen Lopetegui’s prime target as he looks to overhaul West Ham’s pourous defence by signing two centre-backs and at least one versatile full-back.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten revealed the club is in a strong financial position to spend.
That is evidence by the fact Wolves captain Kilman is costing the Hammers £40m.
But the Hammers do not have a bottomless pit of money.
And, as has always been the case, the club is looking to offload players too in order to add funds to Steidten and Lopetegui’s summer transfer kitty.
Does Kilman deal kill West Ham’s Todibo move?
There are a host of players who are reportedly not in Lopetegui’s plans.
Captain Kurt Zouma is the most high profile while Nayef Aguerd, Danny Ings are also up for sale.
While West Ham were sealing the deal with Wolves for Kilman, exciting news emerged from France.
It was claimed the Hammers had made an official bid for Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.
Given the likes of Man United and other top European clubs had been linked with the 24-year-old, many believed the Hammers were chancing their arm by bidding for Todibo.
Indeed it was even claimed the bid was submitted purely to pressure Wolves into agreeing to the Kilman sale as the Hammers effectively threatened to take their money elsewhere.
West Ham saw a bid of around £25m rejected for Todibo. But it was reported yesterday that the Hammers are ‘confident’ of getting a deal done should they decide to raise their offer.
Romano says ex Barca man has told West Ham he wants to join
Especially since UEFA ruled Man United cannot sign players from Nice – both run by INEOS – due to multi-club ownership rules.
With the signing of Kilman imminent, many believed that might be the end of West Ham’s interest in Todibo.
But West Ham very much remain on the case to sign the Frenchman according to journalist Graeme Bailey speaking to Hammers News.
Better still Fabrizio Romano says the ex Barca man has told West Ham he wants to join them.
Romano says West Ham would not have approached Todibo had they not received encouragement from the player’s side.
The transfer reporter states that the price could well be high for Todibo, which makes the deal a problem for West Ham after the Kilman outlay.
“I understand that West Ham were never going to bid for him without guarantees on the player side, and though he was keen on the move the problem was on the price – which is still considered to be too high,” Romano told Caught Offside.
West Ham still want Todibo if Zouma or Aguerd can be sold
Hammers News has had it confirmed that the price is too high but would be feasible if West Ham can offload Zouma or Aguerd.
And Bailey has told Hammers News that’s exactly what the club are now trying to do.
“West Ham have had talks with Todibo and offered Zouma (to Nice) in exchange,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“Kilman was first choice. They might still do Todibo too but would take Aguerd leaving it seems.”
Lyon’s Jake O’Brien is also on West Ham’s wishlist after Steidten missed out on Belgian Arthur Theate to Saudi.
Todibo made a big move to Barcelona back in 2018. But it simply didn’t work out and, after a series of loans, he was sold to Nice in 2021.
Todibo played 30 games for Nice last season with an average match rating of just under 7/10.
So if West Ham can find a taker for Aguerd or Zouma, fully expect the Hammers to put a second improved bid in for Todibo.
Until then, the club may well look to other targets.
