According to reports from France, Liverpool could have a trump card at Anfield which may help them to swing the balance of power in a transfer race with Manchester United.
Nice-Matin reported (via Paisley Gates) that Jurgen Klopp’s side hold an ‘advantage’ over their Old Trafford rivals in the mutual pursuit of Jean-Clair Todibo, who’s valued at €60m (£51.6m) by Nice.
The Merseyside club is cited as a ‘very attractive’ destination for the centre-back, while the LFC manager is perceived as an ’emblematic and well-established’ coach.
The report also states that the 24-year-old is ‘very close’ to Ibrahima Konate, a fellow Parisian with whom he’s become good friends during their time together with the French national team.
However, it’s claimed that Todibo’s thriving performances at the Ligue 1 high-fliers may see him stay put until at least the summer, with his chances of appearing at Euro 2024 set to be enhanced by his current form.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in United could see them forge a working relationship with Nice, a club that he owns, although Liverpool will be hoping that Todibo’s friendship with the £70,000-per-week Konate (Capology) might swing a potential transfer in our favour.
The former Barcelona defender has stood out as an uncompromising centre-back who’s also very comfortable in possession, as illustrated by statistics from FBref.
The 24-year-old ranks among the top 10% of positional peers in Europe’s five main leagues for tackles per game over the past year (2.25), the top 16% for interceptions (1.6), the top 7% for successful take-ons (0.65) and the top 15% for pass completion (89.8%) and progressive passes per 90 minutes (4.9).
Todibo was described as a ‘very ambitious‘ player by his former Nice teammate Aaron Ramsey; and given his age and his relationship with Konate, it comes as no surprise that Liverpool might view him as an ideal long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, who turns 33 this year.
James Pearce has suggested that the ‘noises’ coming out of Anfield don’t hint that big-money January business is imminent, although the interest of United – and involvement of Ratcliffe – might just spark an above-average degree of urgency from Merseyside chiefs if they’re to land the France international this year.