£33m West Ham deal could scupper Newcastle’s chances of signing £35m man. Juventus have turned to AC Milan’s Pierre Kalulu after missing out on Jean-Clair Todibo to West Ham and this could have implications for Newcastle United should they fail to land Marc Guehi.
Following a summer of marquee additions, West Ham pulled off arguably their biggest coup yet on Saturday morning. After successfully hijacking Juventus’ pursuit of one of Europe’s most coveted young centre-halves, Julen Lopetegui’s side confirmed the arrival of Jean-Clair Todibo on a £33 million loan-to-buy basis.
“I am really excited to be signing for West Ham United,” Todibo told the club’s official website. “It is a dream come true to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. “This is an amazing opportunity for me, at a club with huge ambition, who want to really make progress under the new head coach.
“It feels like the right time to be coming to West Ham, in the heart of London, with an amazing, passionate fan-base. I’m so excited to pull on the West Ham shirt, and play at the London Stadium in the Premier League.” Juventus were left disappointed – they had invested plenty of time and energy in luring Todibo to Turin after making him their leading defensive target – but the Serie A giants have quickly got back on the horse in pursuit of an alternative.
A deal is close, too. Kalulu will join Juventus on loan with an option-to-buy clause in his contract. One that, if triggered, will see the Frenchman put pen to paper on a four-year deal at the Allianz Stadium.
HITC have been told, meanwhile, that this could have potential implications for West Ham’s Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Should Kalulu seal his move to Juventus – and he is expected to do just that – AC Milan will block any potential switch to Tyneside for Malick Thiaw.
Newcastle are big fans of one-time Liverpool target Thiaw. He is their fall-back option should a deal for Crystal Palace’s £65 million-rated England international Marc Guehi fail to come to fruition.
If Palace say no, and Kalulu leaves Milan for Juventus, then Eddie Howe’s side will have to look further down their wishlist and prioritise a move for their third-choice centre-back target.
Newcastle recently made a third bid for Guehi. One in excess of their previous £50 million offer. Sporting director Paul Mitchell is understood to have reservations about meeting Crystal Palace’s £65 million demands, however. He feels such a fee is excessive, given that Guehi has just two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park.
Thiaw, in contrast, is valued in the region of £30 million less, as HITC reported in July.
Newcastle yet to agree Marc Guehi deal with Crystal Palace
Newcastle kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Southampton on Saturday. West Ham, meanwhile, face Aston Villa with Todibo hoping to make his debut and show an expectant fanbase what all the fuss is about.
“This is another significant signing for the Football Club and shows the attraction of West Ham for top players in Europe,” West Ham director Tim Steitden says. “It’s no secret that Jean-Clair is a player we’ve been tracking for some time, so we’re delighted to have got this signing over the line ahead of the start of the new season.
“He’s got proven pedigree in European football, especially in France, where he has shone in recent years. Showing all of his qualities as one of the finest ball-playing centre-halves in Ligue 1.
“There was huge interest from across Europe for his signature this summer,” he adds, referencing those Juventus attempts. “And we’re once again indebted to the board for backing us to bring in a player who is approaching the peak years of his career.
“I’m sure the West Ham fans are excited about Jean-Clair’s arrival. We can’t wait to see him playing in a West Ham shirt.”
