According to Sport via Sport Witness, Everton are ‘willing to pay’ €20m for Jean-Clair Todibo and may have to battle AS Roma to procure his signature. The 20-year-old is on the periphery at Barcelona and could be sold this summer, but Sport say Todibo would prefer a move to Serie A than the Premier League.
Everton are on the hunt for a central defender to accompany Mason Holgate, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina next season and have been linked with Unai Nunez, Mohammed Salisu, Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marash Kumbulla, Christian Luyindama, Issa Diop and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams were released last summer and not replaced, so a new face is expected to be brought in. Todibo would fit the bill too, as he’s been outstanding at turning over possession, better than a number of Everton’s defenders.
The Frenchman joined Schalke 04 on loan from Barcelona in January and has gone on to make 10 appearances in all competitions. As per WhoScored, he’s made 1.9 interceptions per game in the Bundesliga which is more than Mina (1), Holgate (1.3) and Keane (1.4). Everton are still less preferred to Roma, however, so it remains to be seen if they’ll land their man.
Barca centre defence were tired more especially pique. Why barca want sell todibo instead of keep?