Fabrizio Romano now claims Tottenham are trying to sign £35m player Chelsea also want

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Chelsea could end up losing out on Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea were linked with Jean-Clair Todibo last month, with 90min claiming that the Blues were interested in the 23-year-old.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have now “opened talks” to sign Todibo.

As of now, Mauricio Pochettino is not exactly light in the centre-back position. The Argentine has Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah all in his arsenal.

But Silva’s contract expires at the end of the season, Colwill has been playing at left-back and Fofana and Chalobah are both out injured. Perhaps, then, Chelsea will be tempted to make a move for Todibo next month.

Tottenham need Jean-Clair Todibo more than Chelsea

Tottenham lost Micky van de Ven to a serious injury when they played Chelsea last month and do not have the same kind of quality in central defence as their London rivals do.

In Disasi, Badiashile and Fofana, for example, the Blues have three France internationals.

It is an area Spurs are lacking in, with Van den Ven, Cristian Romero and Eric Dier being Ange Postecoglou’s only natural options — though Ben Davies can also play at centre-back. One of those options is currently sidelined, while another loves a suspension.

Chelsea will not have any sympathy for Tottenham, though, and if they want to buy Todibo, then they will or will at least try to.

In terms of how much the Frenchman could cost, another report from 90min claims that a £35m deal is possible next month.

It will now be interesting to see whether Chelsea rival Tottenham and make a move for Todibo. If not, then Pochettino could try to get to the end of the season with the likes of Silva, Disasi and Badiashile.