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Barcelona scout Toulouse defender Jean-Clair Todibo

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Toulouse's French defender Jean-Clair Todibo (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Rennes vs Toulouse, on September 30, 2018 at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP) (Photo credit should read LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images)
Toulouse's French defender Jean-Clair Todibo (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Rennes vs Toulouse, on September 30, 2018 at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP) (Photo credit should read LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona are looking for a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen

Barcelona are searching for a replacement to 32-year old experienced Belgian centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, and are currently looking at 18-year old French defender Jean-Clair Todibo, whose contract also runs out next summer.

Todibo is being considered as an alternative to Matthijs de Ligt, who becomes more expensive by the day. The 19-year old Ajax centre-back is in demand across Europe, and Italian giants Juventus are leading the race for his signature.

The French youngster is slightly inexperienced, having made just 10 appearances this season, all of them in Ligue 1. He has scored a goal and provided an assist apiece. But he has also shown some aggression, receiving 2 yellow cards and a red card.

He needs to work on his discipline, and also needs to be more focused on the pitch. But he is a brilliant tackler, and is also an aerial threat in the box. Todibo also likes to make short passes to midfielders, which is what is required of a potential Barça centre-back.

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Todibo has attracted significant interest from Serie A, most notably from Napoli and Juventus. While Napoli have exited the race for his signature, Juventus have expressed serious interest in signing the youngster as a replacement for the ageing Medhi Benatia.

Barcelona technical secretary Éric Abidal has also entered into negotiations with his representatives, and the talks are progressing. Jean-Clair Todibo is yet to make his decision, but he may do so by the end of the January transfer window.

Todibo is more of a risk than Matthijs de Ligt. But he is considerably cheaper, given that the club will need to pay Toulouse nothing more than a development fee. He would replace Thomas Vermaelen, and will get a lot of playing time in the Copa del Rey.

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But it would be better for his development if he spent a season at Barcelona B working under Xavi García Pimienta to get to know the club’s style of play better. He could be called up by the manager at will, in the La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

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