Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Jean-Clair Todibo this summer and the French defender could be a superb addition to Erik ten Hag's side.

What's the word?

According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, United and Newcastle both appreciate the player and could make their move before the transfer window shuts, while Sevilla and Napoli have already contacted OGC Nice about a potential deal.

The former Barcelona man has become a key figure for the Ligue 1 side since signing but is valued at just €20m (£17m), which could prove to be a bargain from United's perspective, considering he is just 22 years old.

The news comes with Man United now on the verge of signing former Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen.

Should United sign Todibo?

Defensive reinforcements are a must for United if they are to improve on what was a disastrous 2021/22 Premier League campaign.

Erik ten Hag has already brought in Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord but is seemingly keen on adding a centre-back to his ranks at Old Trafford, which is no surprise when you consider the form of Harry Maguire last season.

United would ship 57 goals in the top flight, the eighth-most in the division, which emphasises why their quest for Champions League football was ultimately unsuccessful.

In Todibo, someone who thinks of himself as a "phenomenon" in the words of his former agent, Bruno Satin, they would be signing a young defender in a confident mood, after another impressive campaign in France.

The young centre-back featured 36 times in Ligue 1 and was a big part of the Nice defence that conceded just 36 goals, which was joint with PSG as the least of any team in the top flight.

Todibo's performances earned him a solid average rating of 6.87 from WhoScored, which was better than all of United's centre-back options last season, which goes to show just why defensive reinforcements are needed this summer.

After he initially joined Nice on loan from Barcelona, he formed a partnership with fellow loanee William Saliba at the heart of Les Aiglons' defence, which earned a lot of praise from former head coach Adrian Ursea.

 

He said: “Despite their young age, they bring a lot of personality and control, and it affects the stability of the team.

“A defender must first know how to defend, and both do. But we want to start our attacks from the defence, and Todibo and Saliba give us peace of mind in this."

United certainly need some more security at the back and Todibo could certainly provide this, so ten Hag should definitely look at bringing him to Old Trafford this summer.

And, in other news... Ten Hag plotting MUFC bid for £34m gem who's "one of the best", imagine him & Eriksen