Everton target Jean-Clair Todibo has communicated to FC Barcelona that he wants to leave the club.
When Jean-Clair Todibo arrived at Barcelona from Toulouse for €1.5 million, he was expected to be a long term replacement to Gerard Pique, such was his potential. After 18 months, one loan spell and a couple of managerial changes, Todibo has decided that his future lies away from Camp Nou. Everton has been long term admirers of the Frenchman and could potentially launch an operation to sign the 20 year old.
Everton is in dire need of reinforcements in the central defence. Mason Holgate suffered a toe injury against Preston North End in the pre-season friendly and will be out of action for at least a couple of months. Jarrad Branthwaite underwent scans after being subbed off against Salford City to reveal torn ligaments in the left ankle, meaning he’ll be out too for four to five weeks.
This has left the Toffees vulnerable in the central defence with just two fit centre backs in Michael Keane and Yerry Mina. The Colombian’s injury record doesn’t give the slightest of assurances to the supporters and probably even Carlo Ancelotti who has admitted that they are looking to bolster the defence.
Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori was close to moving to Goodison on loan but the recent comments from Frank Lampard suggest that he is counting on the 22 year old for the season.
A file that was potentially closed forever in the Everton offices could re-open again: The file of Jean-Clair Todibo. Everton has been linked to the Frenchman in the past and have even made formal enquiries about the player.
Back in May, Daily Mail reported that Everton launched a series of bids for Jean-Clair Todibo with one bid of £22 million. However, Barcelona rejected all offers in the wake of expecting a bigger proposal from teams like Juventus and Inter Milan who were also in the chase.
Since then, a lot has gone downhill at FC Barcelona. The Catalan club were humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League which saw a domino effect of complications unfold.
First Quique Setien was sacked then Lionel Messi publicly told that he wanted to leave the club. Even though Messi was adamant on leaving the club way before the UCL embarrassment because he thought his shelf life at Barcelona had come to an end.
Now, Ronald Koeman, the new Blaugrana boss is heading the major overhaul. Barcelona wants to bring Eric Garcia from Manchester City which means that Jean-Clair Todibo has no place in Koeman’s team. According to Le10 Sport, the 20 year old would have communicated the desire to leave FC Barcelona after no assurances from the club regarding playing time.
The report further stated that offers have already arrived for Todibo. Barcelona has received two offers from England and one from France. This is a golden opportunity for Ancelotti to sign Jean-Clair Todibo and this time at a much cheaper rate than before. FC Barcelona is willing to accept a bid in the region of £14 million (€15 million).
Todibo proved to be an absolute gem of a player at Schalke when he got an extended run in the team. He is young, has amazing distribution and passing skills and is fearless. Despite being a centre back, he is quick and often drives the ball forward to initiate the attack.
We have seen how quickly Holgate was polished under Ancelotti and if Jean-Clair Todibo does arrive at Goodison, we can expect a similar level of progress. On any day, Todibo for £14 million is a steal which Everton simply cannot miss.