West Ham United suffered a 16th Premier League loss of the 2024/25 season at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday.
The Hammers are winless in their last seven games. West Ham remain stuck in 17th place but secured their status in the top flight for another season.
The Irons cannot mathematically be relegated, with newcomers Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton all heading down to the Championship.
That means West Ham’s obligation to buy clause in the deal that brought Jean-Clair Todibo to East London has now been activated.
Todibo joined the Hammers on a season-long loan from the Ligue 1 side OGC Nice last summer, with the agreement including a conditional obligation to make the move permanent.
Per the BBC, West Ham avoiding relegation from the Premier League was the key condition for the Todibo deal, and the fee to make the transfer permanent is £36.3m (€42.5m).
The process of completing the signing of the 25-year-old is now underway. Todibo has made 25 appearances for West Ham this season.
West Ham should look to sell Todibo this summer – View
The obligation to sign Todibo permanently is unavoidable. However, West Ham should consider selling the former Barcelona ace once the transfer goes through.
Todibo has struggled to adapt to the pace and demands of English football, failing to deliver the commanding displays expected when he first arrived from OGC Nice.
His frequent injuries have made it harder for him to build rhythm and chemistry within the backline, contributing to West Ham’s worrying defensive record.
The Hammers must be ruthless and seek to recoup as much of that investment as possible.
There will be suitors in Europe still intrigued by Todibo, perhaps from Italy, where Juventus were keen before West Ham secured his signature.
A fresh start elsewhere would benefit both the player and West Ham.