INEOS’ “impossible-to-refuse offer” January transfer stance gives Man United boost

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team are desperate to keep OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo at the French club for the rest of the season.

Ratcliffe is now leading the sporting department at Manchester United following his 25 per cent stake being confirmed late last month.

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The British billionaire is also the CEO at the Ligue 1 outfit who are performing excellently this term.

Nice sit in second place so far this season, only behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. They have one of the best defences in Europe this term, having conceded just nine league goals.

Centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo has been absolutely key to that defensive performance, and the defender is attracting major interest from top clubs across the continent.

According to French football journalist Fabrice Hawkins, the 24-year-old is being monitored by Manchester United, Chelsea and AC Milan.

Importantly, however, the report added that Nice are not looking to sell the player in the January transfer window, and the INEOS-led team are planning to keep him until at least the summer barring an “impossible-to-refuse offer”.

This provides a boost for United in their chances to sign the defender due to the position this month. Multiple reports have explained that the Old Trafford club are limited to loan deals in January.

Instead, with Todibo likely to remain at Nice until the summer, the Reds will have a better chance of signing him, particularly with the INEOS links between the two clubs.