West Ham escape looks difficult

If Marseille represented Jean-Clair Todibo’s best hope of a route out of West Ham United, well, there are signs of fraying in this particular escape rope.

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Marseille’s ‘situation’ is not good for West Ham United or Jean-Clair Todibo

According to French outlet Foot01, Todibo has no intention of playing Championship football next season. Having already come to the rescue of Emerson Palmieri and Nayef Aguerd, what are the chances that three-quarters of Marseille’s backline next season will be made up of former West Ham players?

Well, although Todibo is liked at the Stade Velodrome, new sporting director Gregory Lorenzi is in no position to negotiate any sort of a deal at this stage. Now with the French financial watchdog DNCG barking in his ear.

“The priority is to regain financial health,” Lorenzi said during the official unveiling of head coach Bruno Genesio on Wednesday. “We have made commitments to the DNCG and UEFA that we must respect.

“This necessarily involves sales or loans in order to reduce the wage bill. Without this, we will not be able to register new players. That is the reality of our situation today.”

Marseille confirmed the sale of Mason Greenwood to Fenerbahce this week for £33 million. Clearly, more needs to be done in terms of departures.

Todibo’s past Ligue 1 experience – he made over a century of appearances for Nice and Toulouse – appeals, but cash-strapped OM may have little choice but to prioritise cheaper, less ‘proven’ alternatives.

“We want to build a balanced group, composed of experienced players capable of meeting the demands of Ligue 1 and European competitions, but also young players with high potential who will allow the club to prepare for the future,” added Lorenzi.

“You know the club’s worrying financial situation. We have a clear financial objective and constraints with the DNCG. We want a competitive team, but we have to make an effort. It’s not easy to achieve, but it’s my role to find that right balance to have a competitive team that people will be happy to watch every weekend.

“We must remain ambitious, as OM has always been. We want to win matches and finish in contention for European places. It’s easy to say, but we have to do it while facing daily financial constraints.”

Hammers want to sell Todibo rather than loan him out

Claret and Hugh contacted Todibo’s camp this week. They were told that, while there has been no ‘solid’ approach at this stage for the Frenchman, an exit is expected this summer. However, West Ham want a permanent transfer rather than a loan.

At this stage, it is hard to imagine Marseille scrabbling together enough cash in order to make the kind of bid West Ham would deem acceptable for a defender who cost them in excess of £30 million.

While some Hammers fans are willing to forgive and forget, Nuno Espirito Santo does not seem like the type to give up a grudge so readily. Todibo wasn’t even on the bench when West Ham’s relegation was confirmed in May. This the punishment for storming down the tunnel following his first-half hooking against Newcastle.

Not the first time Todibo’s professionalism – or a lack thereof – has come under question during the Nuno era. That needless red card in January’s collapse away to Chelsea meant he was trusted to start only four of the club’s final eleven Premier League matches.

But if Marseille are the only club genuinely interested in offering Todibo a fresh start this summer – links with other clubs have certainly been few and far between – the similarities with Nayef Aguerd may not be limited to his eventual destination.

Aguerd had to wait until the final few hours of the 2025 summer window to run out of Rush Green. Todibo may also be set for an anxious few hours watching the clock 12 months on.