There is a fresh transfer nightmare for West Ham today as Aston Villa launch a move for their Jean-Clair Todibo back-up.
Premier League rivals West Ham and Aston Villa have both been linked with Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.
French centre-back Todibo has been targeted by the Hammers and Aston Villa since a move to Man United was blocked.
UEFA ruled Man United were not allowed to sign him due to strict multi-club ownership rules given the involvement of INEOS in the Red Devils and Nice.
West Ham wanted to partner 24-year-old Todibo with Max Kilman in central defence.
Villa boss Unai Emery is also said to be a big fan of the ex Barcelona flop.
Hammers and Villa battle for centre-backs
A move to either West Ham or Aston Villa will inevitably lead to assumptions that Todibo was effectively being “parked” in claret and blue for a season or two before being sold on to Man United.
That would be a clear and obvious way for INEOS to circumnavigate the rules.
Hammers News reported last week that Todibo had delivered a blow to the hopes of West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui and his fellow Spaniard Emery at Villa by pushing for a move to Juventus.
But the Hammers looked like they might be beating Aston Villa to the punch today when it was claimed by Foot Mercato journalists Santi Aouna and Sebastien Denis that the Irons had agreed a loan with obligation to buy deal for Todibo.
As reported a week ago, though, it seems the move has hit a brick wall despite West Ham’s best efforts because of the player’s desire to join Juve.
That tallied with reports elsewhere claiming the Hammers had switched their attentions to another French centre-back instead.
Fresh nightmare for West Ham as Villa move for Todibo back-up
But there’s a fresh nightmare for West Ham because Aston Villa have moved for their Todibo back-up too.
Get French Football News citing sources in France have claimed West Ham’s plan to sign Red Bull Salzburg centre-back Oumar Solet is being threatened by Villa.
Solet had sent a come-and-get-me plea to potential suitors earlier this week.
The former Lyon man is said to be available for a bargain £8m as he enters the last year of his contract.
That would represent great back-up business from West Ham. But Villa are looming large over their interest and want Solet as well.
“The East London club have turned its focus elsewhere (after Todibo),” the reports state.
“West Ham are not the only club interested in the former Lyon defender.
“Fellow Premier League club Aston Villa and Bundesliga club Stuttgart are also interested in signing Solet during the summer transfer window.
‘Hammers are pushing’
“However, the Hammers are pushing to complete a deal for Solet with RB Salzburg.”
Todibo and Kilman would have been a major upgrade at the back for the Hammers.
But Solet and Kilman could be just as impressive.
Villa are a very real threat given they have Champions League football to offer.
While West Ham do have the London factor, the club will not play European football for the first time in four years.
Losing out on Todibo to Juve is one thing. But to lose their Plan B Solet to Villa would be a bitter pill for the Hammers to swallow.
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