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Incoming Manchester United shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not stand in the way of a potential move for his Ligue 1 side Nice’s star defender Jean-Clair Todibo to Premier League rivals Tottenham, according to reports.
The north London club are thought to have held further talks with the France international’s representatives at the start of this week ahead of a potential January move as Ange Postecoglou bids to bolster his defensive ranks.
Todibo – who has had an impressive season for the Riviera side – is expected to cost Spurs north of £35million, with the second-placed French top-flight club unwilling to part with their lynchpin player for less.
Todibo was previously a major focus for Man United during the summer window, but despite Ratcliffe drawing ever-closer to purchasing his 25 per cent stake of the Red Devils, the INEOS billionaire will stand aside if Tottenham table an appropriate offer.
As per the Evening Standard, Nice are prepared to let Todibo leave for the right fee rather than waiting on a bid from United.
Jean-Clair Todibo is being keenly tracked after strong showing at Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned Nice
The INEOS billionaire is edging closer to his purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Man United
Spurs are one of a number of clubs tracking the 23-year-old including Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and AC Milan, but Postecoglou has made purchasing a centre back a priority in the wake of a string of defensive complications.
Cristian Romero has seen his season hampered by disciplinary suspensions, whilst summer signing Micky van de Ven was forced off with a significant hamstring injury during a November clash with Chelsea.
Postecoglou is believed to be keen to make Todibo an immediate regular starter ahead of out-of-favour Eric Dier and another summer purchase, Ashley Phillips, who is just 18 years old.
For his part, Todibo is thought to be…