---
title: "Everton suffer blow in Todibo pursuit"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-suffer-blow-in-todibo-pursuit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-12-26T21:00:00Z"
modified: "2019-12-26T21:00:00Z"
---

# Everton suffer blow in Todibo pursuit

Everton have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo, according to reports.

[It was reported earlier this week](https://readeverton.com/2019/12/24/everton-eye-barcelona-defender-todibo/) that the Toffees were interested in signing the young centre-back, who Barcelona would be open to letting go with a buyback clause in January.

Southampton were also said to be keen on the 19-year old, as both Premier League outfits look to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the January window.

However, the Blues have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the Frenchman if fresh reports are to be believed, with Mundo Deportivo ([via Inside Futbol](https://www.insidefutbol.com/2019/12/26/everton-and-southampton-dealt-blow-in-pursuit-of-young-centre-back/446635/)) claiming that Barcelona would prefer to sell Todibo to a side who play European football.

![Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2019/12/1187764775.jpg)

Manchester United have been linked with the young centre-back, while AC Milan, Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen have also expressed an interest in the teenager’s future.

Barcelona would prefer Todibo join a club playing European football as they want to see him play at a higher level, in order for them to get the best view over whether they will should use their buyback clause in the future.

The report doesn’t rule out the interest of clubs who aren’t in European competition, but it does seem that Everton now have a more difficult task on their hands if they intend on landing the defender.

### Read Everton Verdict

This is to be expected, I suppose. If you compare Gerard Deulofeu’s time with Everton, where Barcelona had a buyback clause and eventually ended up activating it, they never got to see him in Europe playing at the highest level.

If makes sense that Barca would want to see how far up the competitive ladder than their player can go before they make a decision over whether to buy them back or not. With other clubs who can offer Europe also interested, it could be tough for Everton to land their man.

It is still early though, and I would imagine Carlo Ancelotti has a raft of potential recruits in mind. Armando Izzo has been linked in the past, and as an Italian who managed in the Serie A, it wouldn’t surprise me if Ancelotti’s appointment brought his name came back into the equation, as well as many other possible options.