La Liga giants enter race to sign Manchester United transfer target in the summer - Reports
Atletico Madrid have reportedly entered the fray for OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, a Manchester United target.
Todibo, 24, has contributed two assists in 27 games across competitions for the Ligue 1 side, starting each outing. While one assist has come in 24 outings in Ligue 1 - where Nice are fifth with six games to go - the other has come in three games in the Coupe de France.
Despite being contracted with Nice till 2027, there has been no dearth of interest in Todibo, regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Ligue 1. Atletico Madrid have identified him as a priority target this summer (as per Santi Aouna via Foot Mercato), having lost to Borussia Dortmund in midweek in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
However, the player is also the subject of interest from United, who face competition from Atletico for his services.
The six-foot-three defender said about his Nice future in February (as per GOAL):
"I am at Nice, and we’re having a great season. I don’t have my head elsewhere. If I did it would be difficult for me personally and for the group too. I feel really good at Nice. We’ll see what happens in the summer, but we’re not there yet. I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I don’t want to give false hope.
"For now, I’m here at Nice. Football moves quickly, you never know what’s going to happen. I’ll wait until the summer to make my decision. If my decision is to stay, I’ll announce it, if it is to leave, I’ll announce it too, and I’ll thank everyone, but we’re not there yet."
Unless Nice make the Champions League next season, they could let Todibo go this summer.
What's next for Manchester United?
Manchester United are in the midst of an underwhelming season. Having gone winless in four Premier League games, Erik ten Hag's side are seventh in the standings.
The Red Devils are next in action against Championship side Coventry City in the semifinals of the FA Cup - their only realistic hope of silverware this season - on Sunday (April 21).
Coming off a 2-2 league draw at Bournemouth, United will be keen to return to winning ways against a side they last met nearly two decades ago. The Red Devils lost 2-0 to Coventry in that EFL Cup meeting, though.