Chelsea prepare to ruin Man Utd transfer plan as Mauricio Pochettino 'decides on target'

Chelsea are said to be keen to steal away a reported Manchester United transfer target this winter. United are hoping to improve their squad this winter after a disappointing start to the season that was made worse by a defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out.

Erik ten Hag has come under serious pressure this season, and he will be praying new additions can help save his job, with the Red Devils out of Europe and the Carabao Cup and nine points off the top four as things stand. A defensive signing could be key, though Lisandro Martinez is due to return from a lengthy layoff.

One player who has been linked is OGC Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo, with new partial United owner Jim Ratcliffe owning the French club. Todibo has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, but it seems there is interest from elsewhere. TeamTalk say Chelsea are also prioritising a defensive signing having lost Wesley Fofana to a long-term injury early in the season.

The report claims Mauricio Pochettino likes the look of Todibo, and Chelsea could join both United and Tottenham in the race for the centre-back. According to the latest reports, Nice want around £50million for Todibo, but there is a feeling that a deal could be done for closer to £40million, potentially with add-ons helping along the way.

Nice are currently second in Ligue 1 and just five points behind PSG, so they won't want to lose their star defender and especially not for less than what they value him. But the level of Premier League interest could help Nice secure a fee closer to what they want this winter.