Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'wants' £39m defender and other transfer Manchester United rumours

Manchester United remain in contention to sign OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo - according to reports - as INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe considers a mid-season swoop for his current employee.

Todibo, 23, has earned rave reviews for his performances with the French Ligue 1 outfit. The ex-Barcelona star has made 12 appearances this season and has also won two caps for the France national team.

United were linked with a move for the Frenchman this summer. However, when Harry Maguire rejected a would-be transfer to West Ham, there was no scope in the budget for a new addition.

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Ratcliffe - who owns Nice - is expected to formalise his 25 per cent minority takeover at United imminently as the club wait to see how that investment will affect plans for the January window. Reports from Sky Germany indicate Todibo is among their prime targets and could make the switch for around £39million.

Liverpool and Tottenham are also thought to be interested. Todibo is under contract until 2027 and has totted-up 115 games for Nice since joining from Barcelona - initially on loan - three years ago.

Elsewhere, reports from Team Talk indicate Erik ten Hag will once again return to his former club Ajax with a view to signing defensive midfielder Kenneth Taylor. During his time as United manager, the Dutchman has signed many players with Eredivisie connections, including Lisandro Martinez and Antony directly from Amsterdam.

Taylor, 21, progressed through the famed Ajax system and has made 85 appearances for the senior side. However, there is thought to be heavy-handed competition to attract his signature.

Aston