Barcelona and Real Madrid interested in Toulouse starlet | OneFootball

Barcelona and Real Madrid are both monitoring highly-rated Toulouse defender Jean-Clair Todibo, according to reports in Spain.

Mundo Deportivo claim Barça have been keeping tabs on the 19-year-old, while Marca reckon Madrid are also keen on him.

Todibo began his career as a midfielder but has made 10 appearances for Toulouse as a defender this season and been one of the stars of Ligue 1.

Despite the fact they’ve already signed Jeison Murillo on loan for the rest of the season, Barcelona reportedly see the youngster as a long-term replacement for Thomas Vermaelen and a cheaper alternative to the in-demand Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.

But the two La Liga giants aren’t the only clubs supposedly interested in Todibo. Juventus, Napoli, Liverpool and Wolves are also understood to have scouted him this season.

Speaking to Marca, the France U20 international’s agent Bruno Satin said: “He wants to prove himself at the highest level, I am sure he will be at a big club soon.”

Todibo was born in the Paris region and had never played a professional game before this season.

As a child, he was hit by a car and his injuries very nearly ended his football career before it had even begun.

“It was May 24, I was nine at the time,” he told La Depeche.

“I was leaving my house to go to judo, I crossed the road and a car knocked me down. It turned into a big accident.

“I had an injury on both my leg bones and down to the ankle, and there were several fractures.”