Premier League club eyeing West Ham’s ideal transfer target

West Ham’s second loan offer with option to buy for £27 million for centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo was accepted by Nice, but with Juventus also showing interest in the defender, Todibo waited for Juve to outbid West Ham’s offer.

This is worrying news for the Hammers, who see Todibo as an ideal defensive partner for new £40m summer signing Max Kilman. According to a recent report from L’Equipe, a Premier League club is now monitoring developments surrounding Todibo and could outbid West Ham for the player.

The club in question is Aston Villa. The Unai Emery-led side have been on an upward trajectory in the Premier League since their promotion from the Championship five years ago. Last season, Villa finished in the top four, securing the Champions League title for the 2024/25 season.

Until a few weeks ago, Aston Villa were busy selling players to comply with the Premier League’s PSR rule, and the sale of star midfielder Douglas Luiz to Juventus helped them to start spending money on new signings once they were in compliance with the PSR rule.

Currently, Aston Villa have the funds to match West Ham’s offer and Unai Emery’s side are also offering Todibo Champions League football, similar to Juventus, so if Villa can convince the player to leave Juventus and play the same top-class football at Villa Park, the Hammers will have to look at other alternatives.

However, Villa’s interest in Todibo is still in its infancy, but it should not be too difficult for the club to agree personal terms with the French defender and match West Ham’s offer for Nice.