WEST HAM have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice, after Manchester United were banned from signing him.
The centre-back had been on the Red Devils’ radar for some time as they looked to recruit a new centre-half.
However, Uefa banned United from pursuing a deal with the Ligue 1 outfit due to Ineos’ control over both teams.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are the majority owners of the French club, but have now also taken control of Man Utd’s football operation.
Uefa had to run the rule on the clubs after both qualified for the Europa League, with fears over a potential breach of multi-club rules.
A statement from the organisation said: “As additional evidence of their independence, the concerned clubs committed that they will not transfer players to each other, whether permanently or on loan, directly or indirectly, from July 2024 until September 2025.
“The exception is pre-existing transfer agreements that had been entered into before the opening of the proceedings.
“Also, the clubs will not conclude any kind of cooperation, joint technical or commercial agreements between each other. And the clubs will not use any joint scouting or player database.”
This opened the door for rival clubs to launch bids for Todibo, 24.
And this has allowed West Ham to strike a deal with Nice.
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According to Sky Sports, the Hammers have agreed to take Todibo on loan for a season, with a option to then buy for £27million.
However, the defender is yet to agree to the Premier League switch, and is said to be more interested in moving to Juventus.
West Ham have already signed Max Kilman to strengthen their defence under Julen Lopetegui.
The Irons drew 2-2 in their opening pre-season game to Ferencvaros.
Speaking on Man Utd’s scuppered deal for the two-cap French international, Ratcliffe said: “They’ve said we can sell him to another Premier League club, but we can’t sell to Manchester United.
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Arsenal have been linked with a move for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.
A number of European giants are eyeing up a move for Spain’s Euro 2024 star Dani Olmo.
Liverpool are in the race to sign French defender Mohamed Simakan, according to reports.
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“But that’s not fair on the player and I don’t see what that achieves.”
Uefa recently drafted new guidelines designed to give clubs currently part of the same stable a way to get round the “integrity” issues – with both Man Utd and Manchester City – who have a stake in Spanish side Girona – the interested parties in this case.
Ownership groups were told that they can sell shares in EITHER club to an independent third party, as long as one of their stakes reduces to below the 30 per cent “control” threshold.
Alternatively, all shares in one of the clubs could be transferred to a blind trust overseen by a Uefa-appointed panel but with a hand-picked trustee.
And Uefa confirmed the Premier League clubs took the second option.
Uefa explained: “The concerned investors have transferred their shares in Girona FC and OGC Nice to independent trustees through a blind trust structure established under the supervision of the Club Financial Control Board First Chamber.
“Such blind trust was accepted by the Chamber on an exceptional basis for the 2024/25 Uefa competitions.
“The trustees will regularly exchange information with Chamber during the 2024/25 season.”
If the clubs are not in the same Uefa competitions as their sister sides next season, the shares can be transferred back but the share transfers clear the way for all four clubs to compete from September.
While Man Utd have missed out on Todibo due to the rules blockage, they appear to have snatched Lille prodigy Leny Yoro away from the clutches of Real Madrid and Liverpool.
The club had agreed a £52m deal with the Ligue 1 for the wonderkid, 18, but needed to agree personal terms as Yoro preferred a move to Spain.
However, the Red Devils have now convinced the teenager to move to Old Trafford instead, with reports saying he is flying to Carrington to complete a medical.
The club have already signed Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, and are still working on deals to sign a new midfielder and defender, with Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt linked respectively.
But it is reported some players must be sold before new additions are made.
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