Barcelona defender set for deadline exit to France

The Blaugrana are set to offload a second player in the winter transfer window before Monday night’s deadline.

Jean-Clair Todibo is undergoing a medical with French club Nice in another loan deal, which includes a buy option.

The 21-year-old, currently on loan at Benfica in Portugal, has made just two appearances in all competitions this season. Therefore, Barcelona plan to cut short their two-year loan agreement with the Eagles to send Todibo elsewhere.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Nice will be the center-back’s next club. A loan deal has been struck with Barcelona, along with a buy option of around €10m should the French club want to keep him permanently.

Barcelona are including a ‘buy option’ [around €10m] in Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan to OGC Nice. The deal will be completed today. 🔴 #nice #fcb

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2021

Another French side in Saint-Etienne along with Italian clubs AC Milan, Napoli, Parma, Lazio, and Benevento all reportedly had an interest in Todibo as well.

The former France U20 international will now embark on his third loan spell since joining Barcelona in January 2019 after stints with Schalke and Benfica.

He will be the second player to leave Barcelona this winter after Carles Alena joined Getafe on loan.