West Ham United have placed a bid for Newcastle United target Jean-Clair Todibo, according to reports in France.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from Nice this summer, with fellow INEOS-backed club Manchester United also interested in signing the defender following the departure of Raphael Varane.

The Magpies are in the market for a new central defender following long-term injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles with the club reportedly identifying several targets, including Todibo.

But West Ham have made the first move with a PS28million bid placed, according to L'Equipe but they also report that the bid has been rejected and they are preparing for his departure.

Manchester United want to sign Jean-Clair Todibo but any deals could be blocked Due to the ownership links between the two clubs, a move to Man United may be blocked allowing West Ham and Newcastle to swoop in for the player.

New Red Devils stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently told Bloomburg: "They've said we can sell him to another Premier League club.

"But we can't sell to Manchester United. But that's not fair on the player and I don't see what that achieves."

Todibo joined Nice in 2021 from Barcelona but had a spell in Germany with Schalke after coming through the youth ranks at Toulouse.

The Frenchman has played 136 games for Nice helping them to fifth-placed finish and the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France.

Jean-Clair Todibo has commented on his Nice future Todibo is currently enjoying the off-season after Nice's fifth-placed finish in Ligue 1, just missing out on guiding them back to European football at the first time of asking.

The 24-year-old recently commented on his future at the club.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "Honestly I don't want to talk about (my future) because of my respect for the fans here and the club also, but we had a little discussion, for sure.

"My ambition is to play in the best competitions in the world and try to be the best version of me.

"Try to be the best defender, for sure, that I can be."