With less than a week left, despite persistent rumors, Manchester United has not yet strengthened the central defense while spreading their summer transfer activity around the field.
David De Gea has been replaced in goal by Andre Onana; Mason Mount has been added to the midfield to give depth and dynamism; and Rasmus Hojlund has been brought in as the new center forward.
While Erik ten Hag’s team appears to be focused on signing pass master Sofyan Amrabat, they are also keeping an eye on Jean-Clair Todibo of OGC Nice and may make a formal offer soon.
How is Jean-Clair Todibo’s move to Manchester United going?
The Frenchman is close to joining the Old Trafford side, according to renowned French publication L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), and is valued at about €40 million (£34 million).
The 23-year-old has been deemed by the Red Devil management to be the ideal successor to Harry Maguire, who has been heavily linked with a transfer away. Despite the fact that this has not occurred, United continue to pursue the player.
The caliber of Jean-Clair Todibo
Before losing to Tottenham Hotspur in London, Manchester United’s Premier League season began with a close victory over the excellent Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Even if the season is still in its early stages, it is obvious that the United midfield needs more energy and support. By bringing Todibo into the mix, the players ahead of him would gain an advantage, with Casemiro likely to gain the most.
The illustrious Brazilian anchor, who had previously won three LaLiga championships and five Champions League trophies while in Spain, was acquired from Real Madrid in a £70 million deal last summer.
With an all-encompassing sheen to his defensive efforts, Casemiro was praised by The Athletic back in February for his transformative impact on United’s midfield. According to FBref, he ranked among the top 12% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken, the top 28% for shot-creating actions, and the top 17% for progressive passes per 90.
More importantly, his defensive play is outstanding, placing him in the top 1% for clearances and blocks per 90 and the top 4% for tackles and aerials won.
The ace, who has been described as being on a “different level” by journalist Liam Canning, would not only increase the 31-year-old’s performance, but he would also witness improvements in his own skill set from the ace.
Despite being labeled as “solid as a rock” by scout Jacek Kulig, Todibo had a remarkable average Sofascore rating of 6.94 in Ligue 1 last season, completing 89% of his passes, making 2.2 tackles and 3.1 clearances per game, and succeeding with 65% of his duel attempts.
The £19k a week colossus also ranks in the top 10% for tackles per 90 and the top 4% for successful take-ons among positional peers, demonstrating a toughness that may allow Casemiro’s skills to stand out.
The former Schalke titan’s superb on the ball’ skill was also mentioned on the official Bundesliga website, which only supports the case for his hiring.
Even though it’s still early in the season, Casemiro has been dribbled past three times per game in the Premier League this season.
Todibo’s construction as a solid-as-rock wall in front of Onana’s goal could help United achieve the unity and toughness required to succeed this season, and Ten Hag must now arrange a transfer.