Everton are interested in signing Barcelona centre-back, Jean-Clair Todibo. The 20-year-old defender has spent the 2019-20 season on loan at German side Schalke, where he has impressed.
Schalke, who had an option to sign him €25 million, will no longer be able to buy him at that price, as the deadline has ended, as per Inside Futbol. The German side could have bought Todibo for €25 million, Everton are keen on signing the French defender, who joined Barcelona in the January 2019 transfer window.
Todibo has played just 5 times for Barcelona and moved to Schalke on loan in the January 2020 transfer window. His current contract with the Catalan club expires in 2023.
Why Everton should go all out for him
Todibo was signed by Barca in 2019 after impressing for French club, Toulouse. The Frenchman is a player with a lot of promise, one that will go on to become a top defender in Europe. Todibo is a ball-playing centre-back who is not afraid to drive ahead with the ball from defence, averaging 1.4 dribbles per game for the German club in the Bundesliga in the 2019-20 season. He is also a good passer of the ball, averaging 33 passes per game as well as 1.6 long balls per game.
Todibo is a modern centre-back who can take the ball out from defence and pass the ball, and build attacks. He is sound defensively too, and is a mature player despite his young age. The 6’3″ defender is decent in the air, averaging 1.5 aerial wins per game in the German league. The Frenchman is also quick to make interceptions and tackles thanks to his aggressive defensive style.
Everton need a defender like him, who can defend as well as pass from the back. The Toffees have very few options at centre-back, with Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, and Mason Holgate being the only first-team options at the back. Mina has been decent, while Holgate has stepped up in the 2019-20 season as well, but manager Carlo Ancelotti needs more options to choose from.
Todibo is one for the present and the future, and will be a sound investment to help the Toffees climb up the table and compete for European spots.