Jean-Clair Todibo set to join West Ham on permanent deal following obligation to buy clause

Defender Jean-Clear Todibo is set to complete a permanent move to West Ham United after his obligation to buy clause was activated.

France international Todibo is currently on loan at the club from Ligue 1 side Nice and the clause is now active with the Hammers officially retaining their Premier League status on Saturday afternoon.

Some details are still to be completed but talks are underway over the permanent transfer of the 25-year-old centre-back.

The deal looks set to be officially announced at the end of the season and the fee is expected to be £36.3 million.

Todibo has shown glimpses of his talent this season and has made 25 appearances for the club, despite some of his campaign being hindered by injuries.

Manager Graham Potter will no doubt be looking to make several changes to his squad for next season and the permanent acquisition of Todibo is likely to be accompanied by further defensive reinforcements.

Potter also spoke about Todibo in his pre-match press conference last week and believes there is more to come from the defender.

“I think it was a bit tough for him at the start,” Potter said when asked about Todibo’s ongoing fitness issues.

“Because he arrived late to pre-season and then had injury problems. There was quite a lot of change last summer, but overall it’s not been that easy for those players who have come in.

“But, I’ve really enjoyed working with JC. He’ll get better as he gets fitter and fitter, because he’s got some really high-level quality.”

Speaking before Saturday's defeat at Brighton, Todibo said: "We've felt a lot of frustration, for sure, and we have to work more, but we are in a good way.

"We just need more time with this manager because when you have the positives in the game, the result is going to come."

Matt Gibbs

• West Ham United F.C.
• Premier League
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