They say there is no smoke without fire and there has been plenty of smoke surrounding Jean-Clair Todibo since he joined West Ham.
Did Jean-Clair Todibo really want to join West Ham in the first place, is just one of many questions Hammers fans have pondered since last summer.
Does he still want to be at West Ham is another of late.
Especially after his big falling out with Julen Lopetegui and his lack of game time since.
When UEFA blocked Todibo signing for Man United from Nice due to INEOS’ involvement in the ownership of both clubs, it gave West Ham a glimmer of hope of landing their ambitious target.
Then along came Italian giants Juventus.
Juve were said to be Todibo’s preferred destination and the Hammers looked to have no chance of luring him to east London.
Then came one of the most exciting days of a busy summer window as technical director Tim Steidten flew to Nice and boarded the return flight with Todibo on board.
Signing the French centre-back was seen as the jewel in the crown of a magnificent window for the Irons.
But Todibo has not featured as much as he or West Ham fans would have hoped.
And when he has, the truth is the 24-year-old has blown hot and cold.
West Ham’s bizarre Todibo saga takes another major twist in Italy
West Ham’s obligation to buy Todibo from Nice for £32m was triggered after five Premier League starts and on the proviso the Hammers are not relegated.
It was essentially a way of the club kicking the can down the road on paying for the ex Barca defender.
Todibo is yet to play under new Hammers boss Graham Potter.
And he won’t for some time as he faces at least two months on the sidelines.
This week it emerged that he may never play under the new manager.
Now West Ham’s bizarre Todibo saga takes another twist in Italy.
Todibo’s strange spell in east London is perhaps best surmised by the last 48 hours.
Claret and Hugh claimed Todibo was ‘gutted’ to be missing out on working with Potter.
The report stated the Frenchman feels ‘liberated’ now Lopetegui has been sacked.
The Athletic then reported that Marseille had approached West Ham about signing Todibo.
But he reportedly informed his representatives he is happy with the Irons and has no interest in leaving.
He feels settled in east London and wants to repay the faith shown in him by West Ham according to that report.
Outcome of Juventus’ Todibo talks with Hammers announced
Then out of nowhere, respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claimed Juventus have come back in for Todibo and that West Ham would be open to trying to do a deal.
Di Marzio stated Todibo is back on the Turin club’s radar and West Ham are considering letting him go.
He reported that the two clubs are trying to ‘decide on the formula’.
West Ham’s hope, Di Marzio claims, is that Juventus would essentially take over the purchase obligation in the summer.
The news came just a few days after majority owner David Sullivan said the Todibo deal ‘has hurt’ West Ham.
All the speculation saw fresh questions over whether all is well between West Ham and Todibo.
Potter responded to a direct question from the press about Todibo’s future ahead of the game with Villa.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Potter said he expects Todibo to be at West Ham when the window closes.
Todibo staying at West Ham as Juve look elsewhere
The strange situation has taken another twist, though.
And it’s great news for West Ham fans who feel Todibo can come good at West Ham under Potter.
Because Juve did enquire about Todibo. But talks have hit an ‘impasse’ and the Italians have already given up on signing the Hammers defender, turning their attentions elsewhere.
Juve are instead focusing on trying to sign Newcastle’s Lloyd Kelly or Feyenoord’s David Hancko after baulking at West Ham’s demands.
Football Italia and Di Marzio are now stating Juve can’t meet West Ham’s demands to take over Todibo’s loan and £32m obligation with Nice.
So the idea was short-lived and Todibo looks set to remain with the Hammers.
Now it’s over to Potter to try and get the best out of a player who has looked imperious in some games but disastrous in others.
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