Report: After Botman, Newcastle are now trying to sign another centre-back – he’s the ‘new Raphael Varane’

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are among the clubs who want to sign central defender Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice.

A report by French outlet Foot Mercato has claimed that there is a host of interest in the 22-year-old this summer.

They say that despite already landing Sven Botman, to go with the January purchase of Dan Burn, Newcastle want another centre-half.

The report says that domestically, Newcastle face competition from Manchester United, who are looking to bolster their backline under Erik ten Hag.

Newcastle want Todibo

They also say that Sevilla and Napoli have made contact with Nice over signing the defender but both approaches have been rebuffed swiftly.

The asking price for Todibo is said to be more than €20 million (£17.2 million), which affordable for Newcastle if they do want to dip into the market again.

For Manchester United, that would make Todibo a cheaper alternative to Lisandro Martinez, whom they are currently battling Arsenal to buy.

Frenchman Todibo has already been compared to a player he could play alongside if he did move to Old Trafford.

France Football called him the new Raphael Varane after his Barcelona debut, because of his calmness and unflappability.

Do Newcastle really need another new central defender? Perhaps not, but Eddie Howe wants as much quality in his squad as possible, and we will see how this one plays out.