According to the Spanish publication Sport, Arsenal and Manchester United are competing this summer to acquire Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are the Gunners’ established central defensive duo, but manager Mikel Arteta still wants to add another top-level player.
According to Sport, the sporting director Edu has Todibo as one of his top priorities.
Over the past two transfer windows, United has not been able to sign him, and reports suggest that Arsenal may be able to sign the Frenchman to help Barcelona in the coming weeks.
Nice values their prized asset at £42 million at the moment.
Due to a 20% sell-on clause, Barcelona would receive £8.4 million if the Gunners signed Todibo for that amount.
The Gunners currently have Saliba and Gabriel as undisputed starters.
Arteta could use Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber, or Jakub Kiwior in the XI in case of injury.
Ben White is also able to play in the middle of the defense, so Arsenal don’t necessarily need to sign another big name.
Although Todibo is an excellent player, we do not anticipate a transaction.
First of all, Arsenal might not spend a lot of money on a second center back.
They need to improve several other important positions, particularly in the center-forward department.
Second, it’s possible that Todibo won’t leave Nice to join Arsenal unless he is guaranteed a starting position.
The 24-year-old had previously acknowledged that he made the decision to remain at Les Aiglons for regular game time.
There is also the Manchester United consideration if Arsenal were to consider acquiring Todibo.
Nice is owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who also holds a minority stake in United.
The English very rich person close by his organization INEOS are controlling the footballing tasks at the club.
Ratcliffe will probably prefer Todibo to join Old Trafford over a direct rival in the league.
