Premier League rival set to hand INEOS major transfer boost after deal collapses

Manchester United are aiming to sign a defender in the coming windows, and new sporting leaders INEOS have been handed a boost in relation to that transfer target by a Premier League rival.

The Reds announced Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to acquire a 25 per cent stake in the club on Christmas Eve and now are awaiting approval from the Premier League to allow the INEOS chiefs to get their project underway at Old Trafford.

Whilst they are going to bring many new ideas to the club, in terms of transfer targets, it is unlikely that they stray away from the need for a new central defender in the coming windows.

Fabrizio Romano has previously stated that United will sign an important defender in one of the next two transfer markets, and Jean-Clair Todibo is on that list.

However, with United unlikely to strike in January due to multiple factors, it appeared that they could lose out on the defender who plays for INEOS-run OGC Nice in France.

Tottenham Hotspur were showing interest in the defender amid an injury crisis at the back for the North London club and opened talks to sign the player last week.

However, the latest developments in regard to Spurs have given United a boost after it was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano that the deal with Todibo is close to collapsing as Ange Postecoglou wants a defender to join the club next week.

Instead, they are looking at sending a verbal bid for Radu Dragusin, a player who has also been linked with Old Trafford, after opening talks with Genoa in recent days.

This could afford United the time to wait until the summer to strike a deal for the French defender, should the INEOS team decide he is the best option for the club.

Ratcliffe and the INEOS chiefs signed Todibo from Barcelona in 2021 for around £7 million, and he is expected to be sold for north of £40 million.