"The boy wanted Barcelona and we chose to accommodate him" - Agent says ex-Barca star rejected chance to join Liverpool in 2019
Football agent Bruno Satin, who once represented Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, has claimed that Liverpool once expressed interest in signing the Frenchman.
Satin stated that the Reds were one of three clubs which wanted to sign the 24-year-old back in 2019. However, Todibo preferred a move to Barcelona over joining the Anfield club.
He said (via TuttomercatoWeb):
"[Former Napoli director Cristiano] Giuntoli asked me, but there was Liverpool, Juventus and Leverkusen, but then the boy wanted Barcelona and we chose to accommodate him."
Within a year of joining the Blaugrana, Todibo was sent on loan to Shalke 04. In a span of a few months, the Frenchman saw himself donning Benfica's jersey as he was sent on yet another loan.
This was until Todibo made a move to Nice with an option to buy and was subsequently purchased for €8.5m (+ €7m in variables) from Barcelona. Interestingly, he holds the record for the fastest red card in Ligue 1 history after being sent off in a match against Angers after nine seconds.
Todibo has been linked with a move to the Premier League once again, with Manchester United interested in signing the defender. However, it remains to be seen if he chooses a move to Old Trafford or looks for greener pastures.
Liverpool look towards the future, with Jurgen Klopp set to depart at the end of the season
The end of the current season will be a rather emotional affair for the Reds, as one of their most iconic and successful managers, Jurgen Klopp, will draw curtains on his stint at the helm of the club.
According to several reports, the six-time UCL winners are looking for reinforcements to bolster their squad. Despite being one of the best English sides right now, the Reds look extremely vulnerable in defence.
While Liverpool signed central defender Ibrahim Konate in 2021, his stint with the club has been mixed. Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, too have seen better days, with the latter being deployed to play in Trent Alexander-Arnold's role during his time on the bench.
Todibo's agility and versatility would undoubtedly provide Liverpool with several attacking and defending options for the new gaffer.
According to a report (by Football365), Liverpool is ranked ninth in terms of expenditures by English clubs in the last five years. In this time, they have won the Premier League, and Champions League, among other trophies, and have been serious contenders for other titles as well.
Recent losses to Atalanta in the Europa League and Crystal Palace domestically, have shone a light on their defensive frailties. With the season in its final stages, it remains to be seen how they fight back.
The Jurgen Klopp-led side takes on Atalanta in the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Europa League on April 19.