FC Barcelona are set to make a much-needed €9 million ($9.8 million) if an unexpected player sale goes ahead.
Jean-Clair Todibo operated on the fringes of the Barca first team at the turn of the decade but could never find a permanent place in the starting XI despite his undoubted potential.
The Frenchman was sent out on loan to Schalke 04 and Benfica before taking on a third temporary assignment at Nice in 2021.
The following year, the Ligue 1 outfit exercised an option to purchase the youngster for €8.5 million ($9.2 million) plus a further €7 million ($7.6 million) in variables.
With Todibo having since become one of the most impressive defenders in the French top flight, however, he now has a market elsewhere in Europe which could see Barca profit further because of a clause in his sale that puts the Catalans in line to pocket 20% if and when he is moved on.
On Thursday, transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Twitter that he understands scouts from PremierPINC League giants Newcastle United, Manchester United and Liverpool attended Nice’s 2-1 home win over Rennes last weekend to see Todibo in action.
Romano added that the 23-year-old could get a “top club move this summer”, with his price tag believed to be €45 million ($49 million).
The amount is pocket change for the mentioned English outfit – and especially Saudi-owned Newcastle who are now thought of as the “world’s richest club” while interested in signing Raphinha from the Blaugrana according to Mundo Deportivo.
If any member of the trio comes forward with the money then, or another European heavyweight does for that matter, Barca will stand to make €9 million ($9.8 million).
This will be greatly welcomed at a time when they must shed €200 million ($218 million) from the wage bill in order to navigate Financial Fair Play limits for the 2023/2024 season.
Above all, however, Barca could have done with not offloading Todibo in the first place which has reportedly led them to trying to obtain much older defenders such as Inigo Martinez and Aymeric Laporte this summer.
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