Manchester United to sign coveted French centre-back - but only if Harry Maguire leaves: report

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag pictured during the pre season friendly match between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao at Aviva Stadium on August 6, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Harry Maguire
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United have already identified their centre-back replacement for Harry Maguire, should he leave in the transfer window. 

Now fourth-choice centre-back at Manchester United, behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire looks destined to leave Old Trafford this summer.

West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are all interested in the 30-year-old, with England manager Gareth Southgate publicly stating that Maguire needs to play regular first-team football in order to be picked. With the Euros coming up next summer, Maguire could therefore leave in search of consistent minutes, and the Red Devils are already lining up his replacement. 

Manchester United target Nice's French defender Jean-Clair Todibo gestures during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice and Toulouse FC at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, south-eastern France, on May 21, 2023. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Jean-Clair Todibo is being targeted to replace Maguire (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have contracted Nice about the availability of French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo. However, the transfer specialist also clarifies that any potential deal relies on Maguire being sold.

Todibo came through the Toulouse academy before signing for Barcelona for free in 2019. However, after managing just five appearances for Barca he went on loan to Schalke, Benfica and Nice, before the French side eventually made the move permanent.

Now 23, Todibo has played regular football in the past two seasons in Ligue 1, making 86 appearances at centre-back for the side owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a prospective buyer of Manchester United. 

Why the Manchester United takeover still hasn't happened

Nice are open to selling Todibo at the right price, too, with sporting director Florent Ghisolfi recently stating that they would allow their coveted players to move on, should their valuations be met. 

"We hope to keep all of our vital players, but we’ve never tied players down. If all parties are satisfied, a departure could happen,” Ghisolfi said.

Todibo's contract with Nice runs until the summer of 2027, though, meaning the French side are believed to want at least £40m for the Frenchman. 

Transfermarkt values him at £25m. 

Harry Maguire #5 of Manchester United in action during the Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao, pre-season friendly match at Aviva Stadium on August 6th, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Signing Todibo relies on Maguire being sold (Image credit: Getty Images)

More Manchester United stories

Manchester United transfer news is starting to come thick and fast.

The Manchester United season preview looks at why the Red Devils can start to dream of winning the Premier League title again, while all other 91 clubs in the top four tiers of English football are looked at, too.  

Meanwhile, David Beckham has claimed the Glazers now need to leave, as Marcus Rashford reveals how Erik ten Hag has transformed the club in his year in charge.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future. 

Read more
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim does not have time to waste
Manchester United closing in on signing 'the next Vinicius Jr': report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 2: Ruben Amorim the head coach / manager of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Crystal Palace FC at Old Trafford on February 2, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United looking to sign ANOTHER left-back: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 2: Ruben Amorim the head coach / manager of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Crystal Palace FC at Old Trafford on February 2, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United make deadline day centre-back plan after Lisandro Martinez suffers 'serious situation': report
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is still fighting through problems at Old Trafford
Damning Manchester United sale update released, with one player set to sign contract: report
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Manchester United could make African defender Ruben Amorim's first signing in January: report
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - OCTOBER 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool talking with Virgil van Dijk captain of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between RB Leipzig and Liverpool FC at Leipzig Stadium on October 23, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool preparing for Virgil van Dijk exit with stunning offer for replacement: report
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Latest in News
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger