Man Utd ‘keeping close tabs on ex-Barcelona star.. but will only pull trigger on transfer if Harry Maguire quits’

MANCHESTER UNITED will only start talks with Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo once Harry Maguire’s future is decided.

United are interested in the 23-year-old centre back but will only make a move if Maguire leaves, reports claim.

Reuters

Barcelona signed Todibo from Toulouse in 2019, aged 19[/caption]

According to Fabrizio Romano, United had contacts informed on the conditions of a Todibo deal.

He added that no talks have been opened or offers made, with any move hingeing on Maguire – who was booed by fans after his error cost United a goal in the friendly with Athletic Bilbao – leaving.

The England international was stripped of the club captaincy last month following a three-year stint in the role.

He started just eight games for United last season with Lisandro Martinez and Rapheal Varane being Erik ten Hag’s preferred centre-back pairing.

He has appeared in several pre-season games, while West Ham reportedly had a £20m bid rejected for him, with United demanding around £40m.

Todibo has established himself at Nice after joining from Barcelona following an initial loan spell.

He joined Barca from Toulouse in 2019 and was sent out to FC Shalke in 2020 where he made a few appearances in the Bundesliga.

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The Spanish giants then loaned him out to Benfica next but his time in Lisbon was unsuccessful due to an achilles tendon injury.

His final loan spell was at Nice where he moved on a permanent deal in 2021 for £8.5million.

Todibo has now made 67 appearances for Nice in Ligue 1, becoming a key player in their back line.

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