Jean-Clair Todibo once admitted he never received an explanation over why Manchester United opted not to sign him as a youngster after a successful trial.
It has been widely reported that West Ham have reached an agreement worth £30million to sign United defender Maguire.
David Moyes’ side are seeking reinforcements after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for some £105million, while Maguire will hope to revive his career in east London after a tumultuous few years at United.
Maguire made just eight Premier League starts last season, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw preferred in central defence. Meanwhile, the England international was relieved of his duties as club captain earlier this summer.
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And reports in France have suggested that United are interested in Nice centre-back Todibo as a potential replacement for Maguire.
United have reportedly made contact with Nice in order to gauge their demands, laying the foundations for swift action should Maguire’s move be finalised.
Todibo snubbed by United
Todibo has long been on United’s radar.
Indeed, the Old Trafford club were credited with interest before the defender joined Schalke on loan in 2020. Meanwhile, Todibo had a trial with the Premier League giants as a teenager.
The 23-year-old has since admitted that United never explained why he was snubbed after the trial.
“It was crazy, I went from Les Lilas to United,” Todibo told Onze Mondial in 2020.
“It was a dream that was coming true when I hadn’t done anything, really. It was just a trial. Everything went well, but I wasn’t taken.
“I don’t know why my trial didn’t lead to anything. I still haven’t received an explanation to this day.”
After unsuccessful spells at Barcelona, Schalke and Benfica, Todibo found his feet in his native France with Nice.
His form was so impressive last season that the 23-year-old earned his first France call-up in March.
Indeed, while at Clairefontaine he named United star Varane as one of his main inspirations.
Topics: Manchester United, Transfers, Harry Maguire, Nice, West Ham United
Chris Byfield