Everton are among the clutch of clubs keen to sign FC Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo in January, according to Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness.
Todibo has been widely linked with a mid-season move away from the Camp Nou, having struggled to establish himself in Ernesto Valverde’s plans since joining the Catalan giant a year ago.
The 20-year-old centre-half has accumulated just 167 minutes of first-team football across all competitions this season, and has not featured in a La Liga fixture since recording his only start of the term against Sevilla in early October.
Barcelona are open to moving the Frenchman on this month due to his struggles, but have decided only to grant a temporary transfer without an option to buy following previous claims that they could consider permanent offers.
Fellow Premier League sides Southampton and Watford have also been credited with an interest in acquiring Todibo’s services, but face rival approaches from Germany, France and Italy with Bayer Leverkusen, Hertha Berlin, Schalke, AC Milan and AS Monaco also linked.
Todibo had hoped he would be given the chance to fight for his place at the Camp Nou, but plans to sit down with Barcelona chiefs to discuss his future once back from his holiday.
Would you sign Todibo on loan in January?
Yes
No
Barcelona have received five firm proposals for potential winter moves, with Southampton, Watford, Milan, Leverkusen and Monaco all formally staking their interest in the £9million-rated centre-back.
Todibo’s immediate future at the Camp Nou could be decided as early as January 10, or even before, though any side wishing to be the successful pursuer will have to guarantee Barcelona that the 20-year-old talent will feature regularly.
We have churned through three natural centre-backs this season and have recently begun to utilise Seamus Coleman in the core of our defence under Carlo Ancelotti, having previously been restricted to Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina and Michael Keane.
Southampton have called on four centre-backs to start Premier League games under Ralph Hasenhuttl so far this season, while Watford have utilised six under managers Javi Gracia, Quique Sanchez Flores and Nigel Pearson.
In other Everton news, the club are ready to tempt a title-chasing side with a €30m bid for their unsettled midfielder.