Juventus are edging closer to signing OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo after UEFA blocked a planned move to Manchester United, according to reports. But United co-owners INEOS, also at the helm of Nice, may have an ace up their sleeve as they prepare to sanction Tobibo's Serie A switch.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's group identified the 24-year-old as an ideal target to strengthen Erik ten Hag's defence and replace Raphael Varane.
But UEFA ruled against the transfer after United's FA Cup win in May earned qualification into the Europa League because Nice will also participate in the competition.
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In June, Ratcliffe slammed the decision as unfair and questioned the thought process behind it, given deals between multi-club models aren't rare.
"We have a player at Nice, I'm not going to say his name, who is really interested in joining Manchester United and who has the ability to be a Manchester United player," Ratcliffe told Bloomberg.
"They [UEFA] told us we can't sell him to United. They've said we can sell him to another Premiership club, but we can't sell to Manchester United. But that's not fair on the player and I don't see what that achieves."
But INEOS may have formed a plan that will see Todibo eventually land at Old Trafford via a season-long loan in Turin.
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According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are nearing a loan deal after the Frenchman sparked a breakthrough by agreeing personal terms.
It's claimed that Nice weren't initially interested in loaning out Todibo but have since had a change of heart, which has opened the door for the Old Lady.
The report adds that Juventus want to have a buy option worth around £29million and would be willing to pay a loan fee worth as much as £8.5m.
INEOS chiefs may have loosened their stance over a loan with the possibility of a transfer loophole in mind if Juve, for whatever reason, don't trigger the buy option.
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United's new bosses will be eyeing an immediate return to the Champions League this season after Ten Hag oversaw a dismal eighth-place Premier League finish last term.
But regardless, the Red Devils would have to enter a different European competition than Nice to exchange transfer business.
If they do and Todibo is available, it would open the door to a deal, albeit delayed by one year.
Either way, United have emerged from the situation in a strong position after luring 18-year-old sensation Leny Yoro from Lille as their second summer signing.
