Romano tells Man Utd they can sign INEOS favourite: 'Clubs already called'

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 6 Oct 2025 16:04 BST
  • 4 min read
Fabrizio Romano, Man Utd
© IMAGO

Manchester United have been told by Fabrizio Romano that West Ham centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo could be on the market in 2026.

Article continues under the video

The France international joined the Hammers on an initial loan deal in summer 2024. His stay at the London Stadium was made permanent for a sizeable €40 million in the bygone window, but he now finds himself on the outside looking in.

Todibo dropped out of the team under Graham Potter in August, and new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo seemingly doesn't fancy him either. He has yet to make a matchday squad under the 51-year-old.

Current ETV
Player image Jean-Clair Todibo
Jean-Clair Todibo

D (CR)

West Ham logo

West Ham

Jean-Clair Todibo
Jean-Clair Todibo

D (CR)

West Ham

West Ham

€22.8M

ETV Range

€20.5M - €25M

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Todibo could depart West Ham next year if the situation doesn't change. Although he insists that it is still too early to make definitive statements, he has revealed that the 25-year-old already fielded interest from Serie A in the summer.

When asked whether there are doubts over Todibo's future, Romano told GIVEMESPORT: "Not at this stage, but Italian clubs already called in the summer and are likely to return for Todibo in 2026."

Man Utd to return for Todibo as well?

Another club that could potentially be attracted by Todibo's availability are Man Utd, who tried in vain to sign the Frenchman before he headed to East London.

Todibo was on the books of INEOS sister club Nice prior to his Premier League move, and Man Utd thought they had a deal in place to sign the centre-back.

Jean-Clair Todibo
© IMAGO - Jean-Clair Todibo

However, both Man Utd and Nice qualified for the Europa League at the end of the 2023/24 season, which forced them to sever ties for the 2024/25 campaign as per UEFA rules. This also meant that the clubs could not trade players.

INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe later made no secret of the fact that this left him baffled and bemoaned that he had lost a high-potential player to a Premier League rival. Perhaps the Red Devils could belatedly get their hands on Todibo in 2026.

Football transfer news headlines today

The 18 countries who can qualify for the 2026 World Cup this week

UEFA Women's Champions League: Who’s in it, what’s the format and who are the players to watch?

Real Madrid dressing room 'in chaos' amid Alonso showdown

Man Utd in transfer battle to sign Mexican wonderkid dubbed 'the next Chicharito'

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

Google Play

App Store

Never miss the next big transfer!

Get the latest transfer insights and analyses directly in your mailbox.