Ligue 1: Todibo Opens Door to Barcelona Return
The French center-back from Nice has significant suitors and would not be averse to returning to the Blaugrana club, where he arrived at a very young age and where he did not have enough opportunities.
Sought after by several top European teams this winter, Jean-Clair Todibo ultimately remained at Nice. With a contract until 2027, he did not want to rush his departure. As he confessed on Canal +, the defender wants to first achieve his goals with the Aiglons before considering a possible transfer next summer.
"There were many inquiries this winter," he admitted. "I heard names of clubs, but I wasn't really focused on that. I need to concentrate on what I'm doing and on the concrete. The concrete thing for me today is Nice. If I have to leave this summer, I would like to do it with something big. Leaving a Champions League qualification and leaving would be great."
"Return to Barcelona? Why not"
And there should be no shortage of offers. If several English clubs have already positioned themselves, Todibo would not be opposed to returning to FC Barcelona despite an unsuccessful first stint between 2019 and 2021. "Return to Barcelona? Why not. I don't regret my experience at all. I learned a lot from Gerard Piqué, Samuel Umtiti, Clément Lenglet... It benefited me. I discovered the very, very high level," estimated the Nice player.
"I didn't get the desired minutes because there were very big players ahead of me. I also had a coach, Ernesto Valverde, under pressure, so it was normal for him to field Gerard Piqué instead of a 19-year-old inexperienced player."