Manchester United’s attempt to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice has hit a roadblock due to UEFA regulations. Both clubs, owned by INEOS, are set to compete in the Europa League next season, preventing any player transfers between them.
UEFA Regulations:
Under UEFA rules, clubs under the same ownership can compete in the same tournament, but transferring players between them is prohibited. This measure is intended to prevent any “decisive influence” over the operations of more than one club in the same competition.
INEOS Ownership Complications:
Both Manchester United and Nice fall under the ownership of INEOS, the company led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. This common ownership is the core issue behind the transfer block, affecting the potential signing of Todibo and potentially other players from Nice like Khephren Thuram and Melvin Bard.
Advanced Negotiations Stalled:
HITC reports that negotiations for Todibo had been advancing well before being informed that the deal could not proceed. Despite the interest and progress, the UEFA regulations have put a stop to any transfer activity between the two clubs for this summer.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Reaction:
Speaking to Bloomberg, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose INEOS company owns a significant stake in Manchester United, confirmed the block on signing Todibo. He expressed frustration over the ruling, highlighting its unfairness to the player.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe: “We’ve got a player, for instance, at Nice who was really interested in joining Manchester United and I think he probably had the capability of being in the United squad. 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.”
Future Prospects:
With the transfer block in place, Manchester United will need to explore other options to strengthen their squad. Meanwhile, Todibo and other Nice players interested in a move to Old Trafford will have to look at alternative pathways for their future careers.
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