According to Sport, Everton are ‘in negotiations’ with Barcelona over Jean-Clair Todibo – a bid of €22m + €3m in bonuses has been ‘put on the table’. The 20-year-old has struggled for playing time at the Camp Nou and is expected to be moved on this summer.
Everton are on the hunt for a central defender this summer and have been linked with Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marash Kumbulla, Christian Luyindama, Issa Diop and Tosin Adarabioyo, but Sport say Todibo has been their radar for a long time.
Todibo joined Barcelona from Toulouse in January 2019 and has made only five appearances in all competitions. The French U20 international was even loaned out to Schalke 04 in January to get more first-team football, so he doesn’t appear to have a future in Spain.
Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique have been preferred at centre-back, so Everton are hoping to capitalise by landing Todibo. Sport say the Merseysiders will have to up their offer, however, as there’s not an agreement in place.
Everton may have to lodge more than €25m to bring the Frenchman to Goodison Park.