Jean-Clair Todibo has endured a strange spell with West Ham so far and it’s just got a whole lot stranger.
When West Ham were being linked with Jean-Clair Todibo in the summer, it looked like wishful thinking.
Here was a former Barcelona defender in his prime who had been attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Man United.
When UEFA blocked a proposed move from Nice to Man United due to INEOS being involved with the ownership of both clubs, it gave West Ham a glimmer of hope.
But then along came Juventus.
The Italian club were said to be Todibo’s preferred destination and the Hammers seemingly had no chance.
Then came one of the most exciting days of a busy summer window.
Technical director Tim Steidten flew to Nice and persuaded Todibo to join West Ham.
The capture was viewed as the jewel in the crown of a magnificent window for the Irons.
Steidten was hailed a hero.
Fast forward seven months and my how that view has changed.
Todibo ‘happy’ at West Ham after Marseille bid
Todibo has barely featured due to a series of injuries and issues.
And when he has he has blown hot and cold. One minute looking like a world beater, the next a panel beater.
Julen Lopetegui confirmed claims that he and Todibo had an altercation.
Word is punches were thrown in the incident as West Ham’s dressing room turned toxic.
There were claims that Todibo was one of a group of players threatening to leave if Lopetegui wasn’t sacked.
He eventually was. Two months too late in the opinion of most fans.
With a new manager in Graham Potter came new hope that Todibo can turn things around.
Hammers News revealed this week that Todibo has sustained an injury which will keep him out for up to three months.
A best case scenarios is two months and he is three weeks into the recovery.
With Konstantinos Mavropanos failing to prove himself and Max Kilman struggling without a consistent, more dominant partner, Potter is on the hunt for a new centre-back as a result.
Now there has been an astonishing Todibo twist just hours after claims he’s happy at West Ham.
Astonishing Todibo twist as Juventus re-emerge
Earlier today Claret and Hugh claimed Todibo is ‘gutted’ to be missing out on working with Potter.
The report states the Frenchman feels liberated now Lopetegui has gone.
The Athletic then reported that Marseille have approached West Ham about signing Todibo.
But he informed his representatives he was happy and had no interest in leaving.
He feels settled in east London and wants to repay the faith shown in him by West Ham according to Roshane Thomas.
But worrying news has emerged this evening.
Respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims Juventus are back in for Todibo and that West Ham would be open to trying to do a deal.
Italian journalist makes shocking new claim
Di Marzio says Todibo is back on Juve’s radar and West Ham are considering letting him go.
He states the two clubs are trying to ‘decide on the formula’.
Juventus is reportedly looking for a dry loan with an option to buy.
West Ham has a loan with an obligation to buy at £32m with Nice – which was trigged after five Premier League starts and is payable in the summer.
West Ham’s hope, Di Marzio claims, is that Juventus would essentially take over the purchase obligation in the summer.
The news comes just a few days after David Sullivan said the Todibo deal ‘has hurt’ West Ham.
There really is never a dull moment at West Ham.
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