Chelsea have been scouting Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, the journalist said that, while the Blues are interested in the Frenchman, the player’s asking price would make a move this month difficult:
“From what I’m told, Chelsea have been involved in some scouting activity, but they didn’t start any negotiations with the player’s camp or Nice. They know that the player is probably not for sale in the January transfer window. Nice would only sell Todibo for a very important amount of money, not €35million or €40million, as reported in the media. I think it is going to be very complicated to sign Todibo in January.”
When it was suggested that Nice could demand €60m (£51.5m) for Todibo, fans on X were split on whether he is worth that much:
Madness
— Gweso Gibore🇹🇿 (@Giborejr) January 21, 2024
£51m
Todibo is still worth it.
Pay the daam cash 🌚— All Chelsea 📺 (@AllChelseaTv) January 21, 2024
We don’t need him 💯
— The Goat (@Iamdegoat69) January 21, 2024
€60m is like £52m, it’s nothing in today’s market
— SaintCFC (@ifediora_joseph) January 21, 2024
Diomande or Silva then . This Barca reject is not even worth 40m
— caicenzoSZN_ (@shinoza17) January 21, 2024
I would take him rather than other targets
— CHELSEA 24/7 (@talkCHELSEA__) January 21, 2024
hahahahaha The player that Barça rejected. Ousmane Diomande has more potential and is a better player.
— Ryo (@CFC_Ryo7) January 21, 2024
Todibo has plenty of suitors in the Premier League
Romano says that Manchester United have also targeted the centre-back, but other reports have claimed that Liverpool and Newcastle are keen on securing the player’s services as well.
For that reason, Nice will be in no rush to lower Todibo’s valuation, either in January or at the end of the season.
Are Chelsea considering other centre-half targets?
Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande is also known to be on the Blues’ radar. However, the Ivorian international could cost as much as €80m (£69m).
Torino’s Alessandro Buongiorno has been suggested as a cheaper alternative, with his club said to be holding out for around €40m (£34m).
