West Ham have already handed Newcastle a huge transfer blow, despite the next window of business not opening for four more months.
The Magpies had been linked with a move for the Irons loan star Jean-Clair Todibo during the recently concluded summer transfer window. TalkSport reported that Eddie Howe’s squad were in fact in talks with the French international in July. They had a bid rejected by Nice earlier on in the summer and ultimately would lose out to the London Stadium side with the latter also beating both Juventus and Manchester United.
The 24-year-old star had looked set to join the Red Devils with the Frenchman to become the ‘heart’ of defence. The fact that the Ligue 1 side share the same INEOS ownership with Man United was also deemed to make the move simpler. Todibo’s departure for Manchester was, however, blocked by UEFA who were not willing to let a player move to a club under the same ownership when both parent and loan clubs were in the same European competition.
Just less than a month into the 2024/25 campaign and Fabrizio Romano has reported that the centre-back is almost ‘guaranteed’ to be a permanent West Ham player going forward with the obligation to buy clause set to be triggered soon. The former Toulouse man has played in three of the Hammers’ four fixtures so far this campaign, starting in the side’s 1-0 EFL Cup win over Bournemouth.
Taking to X, the Italian transfer specialist reported: “The obligation to buy clause (€40m) into Jean-Clair Todibo deal at West Ham from OGC Nice is very easy to reach, almost guaranteed. It will be triggered soon as French centre back can already be considered 100% West Ham player, as always mentioned.”
This update appears to close the door on the Newcastle’s hopes of making a move for Todibo upon the expiry of his current short-term spell in east London. Both the Hammers and Magpies had been desperate to strengthen their centre-back options this summer with Newcastle missing both Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles from their line-ups through injuries. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi had been the recipient of four significant bids from the Magpies – with one having reportedly reached £65m – however all were rejected as they came under the Eagles’ £70m valuation of the player.
The Irons, on the other hand, have been able to welcome centre-back Max Kilman and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka in addition to Todibo.
