Manchester United likely to opt for Jean-Clair Todibo over Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite | OneFootball

Manchester United are expecting a busy summer with major changes to the first team squad on the cards at Old Trafford.

INEOS will be hoping for a successful first transfer window and are no doubt eyeing their number one targets already.

Defensive upgrades are thought to be the priority with Erik ten Hag hoping to add some extra quality to his back line which has been decimated by injuries.

United have suffered badly with the Dutchman forced to constantly chop and change and the aim will be to get a consistent partnership at the heart of defence for next season.

Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite are high on the list of targets and it appears INEOS have decided on their preferred option.

As reported by Teamtalk, the OGC Nice centre-back is the preferred choice for United’s new owners, who feel a deal could be struck in the coming months.

Todibo could be available for around £40 million which represents a far more economical option as compared to that of Branthwaite, with Everton holding out for double that amount.

It’s also reported that other suitors for Todibo are “backing away” from the player, leaving the path clear for United to swoop.

Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur were two of the teams registering interest in the centre-half but with both now turning their attentions elsewhere, United are in a “very strong position” to secure his signature.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a fine run of form in Ligue 1 in the last few seasons, emerging as one of the most sought after defenders in Europe.

Todibo has been almost ever-present for Nice this season and that kind of consistency has been badly lacking at United throughout the campaign.

Ten Hag will be hoping Lisandro Martinez will be free from injury next season with Todibo expected to be the long term partner of the Argentine.

United will be hoping for a much smoother ride in the summer now that INEOS are on board with the club’s disastrous transfer windows over the last decade leaving the club languishing behind in the Premier League.

Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.