Real hero behind West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo deal named as clause exposed

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Tim Steidten has been praised for West Ham’s window but the real hero behind the Jean-Clair Todibo deal has been revealed along with clause details.

West Ham signed Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice yesterday and it has raised eyebrows across football.

This is a player Manchester United were fully intent on signing until UEFA blocked the move.

West Ham have landed themselves a top class, dominant, ball-playing centre-back who Juventus were also desperate to sign.

Aston Villa wanted Todibo too but it was the Hammers who got their man in the end.

Todibo had put West Ham on hold for several weeks while he waited to see if Juve could match their offer.

But the cash-strapped Italians could get nowhere near it.

As that became clear, it was reported that technical director Tim Steidten flew out to Nice to meet with the 24-year-old.

Real hero behind West Ham’s Todibo deal named

When Steidten boards that jet, there is usually only one outcome.

And so it proved as Todibo returned to London with the German for a West Ham medical.

West Ham announced the former Barca man’s arrival on loan with an option to buy.

It has been claimed that option is effectively an obligation which will be easily activated by a specific clause in the deal.

That has raised concerns among some Hammers fans that Todibo might only be here for one season.

But there is good news on that front and a surprising revelation about the man who actually helped get the stunning move over the line.

The real hero behind West Ham’s Todibo deal has been named as the clause is exposed.

Hammers’ Todibo clause and actual fee exposed

While Steidten was clearly pivotal to the signing, West Ham insider Sean Whetstone has revealed a well known football agent was the key to getting it done.

“Football agent Barry Silkman was instrumental in getting the Todibo deal across the line,” Whetstone claims.

Silkman is close with West Ham majority owner David Sullivan and was also the man very much behind bringing Lucas Paqueta to the club.

The veteran agent divides opinion among football fans. But the Hammers will clearly be grateful for his connections once again.

The top spokesman at West Ham has responded to Hammers News when asked about the option on the Todibo loan.

Speculation has stated Todibo’s permanent option will be £35m. There has been claim and counter claim about the clause given the secrecy around it.

But there’s great news for West Ham fans on that front too.

‘A virtual obligation’

“It’s a virtual obligation,” the top West Ham spokesman told Hammers News.

Now The Times has revealed the precise details of the clause and fee.

It is fantastic news which, barring an unmitigated disaster, means Todibo will be joining West Ham in a permanent deal.

And for around £7m cheaper than being reported elsewhere.

“Todibo’s initial loan from Nice will turn into a permanent deal worth £26.8million next summer if he starts five Premier League matches,” The Times reports.

Wow. So the Todibo clause could be activated by September given he has taken part in Nice’s full pre-season programme.

The former Barcelona defender will arguably be West Ham’s best signing of the window.

Indeed it could go down as the best bit of business the club has done for years.

What a deal for the Hammers.