Chelsea are weighing up a move for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, according to Football.London.

The website claims that the Blues are “interested” in the France international as they look to strengthen their options in the centre of defence.

With Trevoh Chalobah expected to be sold, and Wesley Fofana still sidelined with an ACL injury, it is an area of the pitch that the London club want to reinforce during the January transfer window.

Football.London say that Todibo is “definitely” among the targets that Chelsea are looking at if they do decide to replace Chalobah this month.

Todibo has recently been in “talks” with a Premier League rival

Manchester United and Newcastle have been mentioned as potential suitors for the 23-year-old but, just over a week ago, journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Tottenham had “opened talks” with Nice about signing the player.

However, it is believed that discussions have stalled. Todibo’s asking price was said to be around £35m but the fact that Spurs have already moved on to other targets suggests he may cost a lot more than that.

What do Chelsea fans need to know about Todibo?

The centre-half came through the academy at Toulouse before Barcelona snapped him up in January 2019, but things didn’t work out for him at the Camp Nou.

Todibo made just 5 appearances for Barca over twelve months before he was loaned out to Schalke at the start of 2020. The German club had an option to buy the defender for €25m but they decided against keeping him.

The Frenchman had a similar experience at Benfica before Nice signed him on a permanent basis for an initial €8.5m just before the transfer window shut in January 2021. He has subsequently established himself as a regular starter, as well as being capped by his country at senior level.