Both clubs had the option to make the deals permanent, but ultimately chose not to.
Schalke 04 signed him on loan in January 2020 with an option to buy for €25m plus €5m in add ons. However a season disrupted by Covid and financial instability saw Todibo return to Spain after playing just eight games in Germany.
A deal was agreed with Benfica in October for a one year loan and an option to purchase for €20m. Before linking up with the Portuguese giants, his parent club Barcelona did have an €18m offer from Fulham yet the player wasn’t keen on the Premier league club.
His time in Portugal was marred by injuries, and the French Centre back failed to make an appearance under Benfica manager Jorge Jesus who was blunt in his evaluation of the defender.
“He does not have the physical and tactical conditions. He didn’t work with the team. He is not a player I am thinking of.”
The loan ended abruptly after just four months. This allowed Nice to step in and agree a loan option with a purchase option for €8.5M and €7m in additions.
He was more settled at Nice gaining an international call up, and playing over 115 games for the club. However, he also gained an unwanted record in September 2022, receiving the fastest red card in Ligue 1 history – just nine seconds into a match against Angers.
Todibo’s former agent, Bruno Satin claimed the player was difficult, speaking to Calciotoday, “He never listened to the advice that Eric Abidal (Sporting Director) at Barcelona gave him. He already believed he was a super star. That is why his adventure at La Liga didn’t go well. He has great qualities, but what he lacks is humility”
Todibo, however, offered a different perspective on his time at the Catalan club, talking to Amazon Prime France he said “I was not well prepared and arrived alone. I never really got a chance. I played only five games and did well, but no one communicated with me. I just wanted to play.”
After an underwhelming season so far at West Ham, Marseille have reportedly approached West Ham in the current January transfer window regarding the player’s availability, but West Ham immediately rejected the inquiry. There also has been alleged interest from Juventus as reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, which is unsubstantiated. Claret & Hugh can exclusively confirm from a senior source that “The obligation to buy Todibo can only be broken if we are relegated”.
He is said to feel more settled at the London stadium following the departure of Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter is keen to work with the player.
With a troubled past, and a significant price tag hanging over him, Todibo’s move to West Ham needs to succeed for both the player and the club. West Ham hope that, after his injury recovery he can live up to the high expectations placed on him.
