Following Sir Dave Brailsford’s recent attendance at Manchester United games, Ineos made their latest move yesterday when Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jean-Claude Blanc were sighted at Old Trafford for significant talks, according to The Times.
There will be changes on the field, and there may be a few tweaks in the January transfer window ahead of major acquisitions in the summer.
Ineos is seeing through this lens. Long-term, and don’t buy in a hurry. However, preparations are being made.
Manchester United is looking for a center-back
While a striker could be signed this month, the team is seeking for a center-back in the long term.
Lisandro Martinez, the club’s youngest first-team center-back, is 25 years old. Then came Victor Lindelof, 29, Harry Maguire, 30, Raphael Varane, 30, and Jonny Evans, 35.
As a result, younger, longer-term choices are being linked. Jean-Clair Todibo, who was a transfer target last summer, lined up as a replacement for Harry Maguire in case he accepted West Ham’s offer.
Several other names have been mentioned, including Atalanta’s 20-year-old star Giorgio Scalvini.
Scalvini is a name liked by Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano, but not on the same level as Todibo.
“Yes, Scalvini is a player they appreciate and have been following, but Todibo is in a different position when it comes to Manchester United’s list for the present and future,” he explains.
“Todibo was already on the list in the previous window, while Scalvini was not on the list last summer.” Todibo is still on the list.”
Manchester United’s #1 objective is Todibo
Manchester United have an advantage in signing Jean-Clair Todibo because he plays for Nice, which is controlled by Ineos, the club’s new owners.
Tottenham’s recent move for Todibo has failed, according to Romano, who adds: “Todibo is not going to Tottenham the deal almost collapsed Tottenham tried, Tottenham had conversations with Nice and on the player side.” This will not take place.”
He goes on to suggest that ‘many at Ineos’ feel Todibo’s future is with Manchester United.
“If not in January, this is an opportunity for Manchester United in the summer transfer window.”
“With the Ineos group, this could obviously be a good opportunity for Manchester United.” Ineos also believes Todibo might be the ideal center-back for Manchester United in the future.”
Todibo, 24, has been in good form for Nice this season and has previously played for a big club, Barcelona.
A mid-season sale must be approached with caution. They are second in Ligue 1, and selling their finest player to Manchester United at this time will raise eyebrows among supporters.
Because of this, Romano believes that the agreement will be more likely in the summer rather than now. If he is the ‘ideal’ addition, he will be worth the wait, by which time some of United’s older center-backs will have moved on.