Jean-Clair Todibo is on the verge of joining Juventus, with the deal expected to be finalized in the coming days. The French club Nice, eager to save on August’s salary, has agreed to a loan arrangement for the defender. This move comes as Juventus, under new coach Thiago Motta, looks to strengthen its squad for the upcoming season.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Todibo has previously played alongside Khephren Thuram at Nice and could soon join him at Juventus. The negotiations between Juventus and Nice have reached a critical point, with the player pushing for the loan deal, which was initially rejected by the French club. The agreement involves an immediate loan with a mandatory purchase clause, allowing Nice to save on Todibo’s salary for August.
Juventus’ sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, and his Nice counterpart, Flaurian Maurice, are working on a deal worth €35 million, including an immediate loan fee and a purchase obligation in 2025, plus bonuses. Juventus is prepared to pay a substantial amount upfront, between €7 and €10 million, with the remainder to be paid in 12 months. However, Juventus needs to offload some players first, with Dean Huijsen being a prime candidate for departure.
Huijsen, a 19-year-old central defender, has returned from a loan at Roma and is considered expendable. Juventus hopes to raise €20-25 million from his sale, with interest from clubs like Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, and PSG. The funds from Huijsen’s sale will be directed towards acquiring Todibo, who is eager to join his friend Thuram at Juventus.
If all goes according to plan, the deal could be finalized by the end of the month, allowing Nice to avoid paying Todibo’s August salary and enabling Juventus to integrate him into the squad before the start of the season on August 19 against Como. Todibo, known for his physical presence and technical skills, stands at 190 cm and is effective in aerial duels and set pieces. He is versatile, capable of playing both as a central defender and in midfield.
Thiago Motta, who values players with multiple skills, is keen to add Todibo to his defensive lineup, which includes Bremer, Danilo, and Gatti. Daniele Rugani, another defender, is also on the market, while Tiago Djalò’s future at Juventus remains uncertain. Todibo had previously been linked with Manchester United and West Ham, but those moves fell through due to various reasons. Now, he is set to join Juventus on a five-year contract worth around €2 million per year, excluding bonuses, and is eager to start this new chapter in his career.
