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West Ham United are increasingly unlikely to trigger their £35 million option to buy Jean-Clair Todibo at the end of the season following reports of a fallout between the defender and manager Graham Potter.
The French centre-back joined the Hammers on loan last summer from Nice, but after a bright start, has failed to cement his place in the side. He has made just 13 Premier League starts, and recent reports suggest a disagreement with Potter at the club’s Rush Green training ground has further diminished his chances of regular game time.
Despite Potter often deploying a five-man defence, Todibo has struggled to feature, with even veteran left-back Aaron Cresswell preferred as a makeshift centre-back on occasion. The situation has raised questions about communication behind the scenes.
According to Sky Sports, the club is now seriously considering walking away from the £35 million purchase clause attached to the 25-year-old’s loan deal.
Former West Ham midfielder Martin Allen believes there’s little chance the club will proceed with a permanent move given Todibo’s strained relationship with his managers.
“You hear rumours that he fell out with Lopetegui,” Allen told West Ham Zone. “They didn’t get on and had a fall out and now you hear rumours of the same thing with Potter. He didn’t play at Wolves. He’s come back in for Mavropanos, who hasn’t been great, but has been playing ahead of him. I can’t imagine they’re going to pay £35 million for him.”
Todibo’s future now looks uncertain, with a return to France or a fresh start elsewhere appearing increasingly likely as West Ham prepare for a busy summer rebuild.
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