West Ham transfer coup underlined by Newcastle update on Jean-Clair Todibo
West Ham United’s signing of Jean-Clair Todibo looks even more impressive after new information on the defender meeting with Newcastle United has emerged.
Roshane Thomas reported in The Athletic on 12 September that before arriving at the London Stadium, Todibo had attended a meeting with Newcastle representatives the previous month.
The Irons’ lengthy chase to sign the 24-year-old saw them go head-to-head with Juventus, but this update implies they weren’t the only side in black-and-white stripes in the fight.
Beating the likes of Newcastle and Juventus to Todibo on an initial loan-to-buy deal from OGC Nice, the Hammers have shown they are capable of competing at the highest level.
Jean-Clair Todibo transfer saga shows West Ham mean business
Given that Todibo held a meeting with Newcastle weeks before the Hammers closed on a deal to sign him, you could argue that Julen Lopetegui’s side were lucky to find the defender still on the market.
Heading to a monied Newcastle setup which finished higher than West Ham in the Premier League last season, would have been a tempting move for the 24-year-old to make.
Past interest from Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as Juventus’ continued pursuit of Todibo throughout the summer [Sebastien Vidal, 10 August], shows just how significant a coup it was for the Irons to get him over the line.
The French international has yet to start a Premier League match since his arrival, but once he’s made his claim for a place in the XI, expect Todibo and Max Kilman to form a solid partnership.
This summer has proven to be a game-changer on the transfer front for the Hammers, and in the form of Todibo, they have a player who can set the example of just how transformed West Ham now are.
