The will he, won’t he Jean-Clair Todibo saga finally looks over for West Ham but the club is already swiftly moving on to four other targets.
West Ham have concluded some excellent and efficient signings over the last week.
But it wouldn’t be a West Ham transfer window without a protracted saga or two.
West Ham had a bid accepted by Nice for French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo several weeks ago.
But the French defender put the Hammers on hold while he waited for Juventus – his preferred destination – to match West Ham’s offer.
The cash-strapped Italians have thus far failed to do that, keeping Hammers hopes alive.
Protracted West Ham saga over says Romano
To push Todibo even further out of Juventus’ reach, West Ham reportedly improved their bid to £29m last week.
As a result Nice were pushing Todibo to forget Juve and sign for West Ham.
The Irons looked to have received further encouragement yesterday.
Because it was reported in Italy that Nice had rejected Juve’s loan with obligation offer for Todibo as they felt the Champions League clause to activate it was ‘unrealistic’.
That seems to have proved a false dawn for West Ham, though.
Because the Todibo deal is dead but West Ham have quickly moved on with four targets named.
Todibo deal dead but West Ham quickly move on
Overnight, Fabrizio Romano has claimed Juventus are now close to reaching an agreement to sign Todibo.
“Deal very close, at final stages,” Romano said on X.
“Direct meeting took place today as planned with Juve director Cristiano Giuntoli and player’s camp in Nice.
“Juve improved their bid and Todibo told Nice: only Juventus.”
West Ham, who had already resigned themselves to this outcome, are in the process of shipping out Kurt Zouma and want to offload Nayef Aguerd too.
Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten aren’t sulking over Todibo, though.
Because a flurry of reports have confirmed concrete interest in four centre-backs.
And, as revealed yesterday, West Ham actually now plan on trying to sign another two central defenders in addition to £40m Max Kilman.
Four Hammers centre-back targets named
On Monday Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham had made an offer for Mats Hummels.
That was played down in some quarters but has now been confirmed elsewhere.
Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has stated that Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah and free agent Hummels are among the defenders being looked at by West Ham.
Sheth also states the Hammers are ‘keeping an eye on the situation’ of Red Bull Salzburg’s Oumar Solet – interest Hammers News reported on back in May.
A fourth – and new – target has also emerged who can play both centre-back and right-back.
According to Mundo Deportivo, West Ham have made a first move for Spanish star Arnau Martinez of Girona.
The report states contact has already taken place between the Hammers and the young defender’s representatives, with an opening offer for an unknown amount likely to be sent to the Catalan club in the coming days.
Girona could be forced to sell Arnau too. Because the versatile star, who is comfortable on the ball, is out of contract next summer and is coming off a season where he was of little importance to head coach Michel Sanchez.
Given he is likely to be a starter for West Ham – and the Spanish connection with Lopetegui – this could very much be one to watch.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
