Fabrizio Romano has given an important update on Jean-Clair Todibo’s situation at West Ham after Nuno Espirito Santo made his stance perfectly clear.

How do you solve a £32m problem like Jean-Clair Todibo at West Ham?

That is now up to Nuno Espirito Santo to figure out after he inherited a very difficult issue with the French flop.

When West Ham landed Todibo ahead of Juventus last summer, he was hailed as the jewel in the crown of an amazing summer transfer window.

Over £155m had been committed to signing nine players by Tim Steidten but it was his personal visit to Nice to snatch Todibo from under Juve’s noses which stood out.

Todibo is West Ham’s £32m problem

Here was a classy, cultured 6ft 5in centre-back on the verge of the French national squad off the back of an excellent season with Nice.

What has transpired since has been a major disappointment to say the least.

Todibo joined the Hammers in a season-long loan with an obligation to buy set at £32m with an easily achievable clause of making five Premier League starts.

Had that clause been based around the number of Premier League games Todibo completed for West Ham, things could have been rather different as, to this day, the 25-year-old continues to be subbed off before full-time – when he’s in the squad that is.

A physical bust-up with Julen Lopetegui was followed by links with a January move away and then a falling out with Graham Potter.

West Ham were said to be considering instantly flipping Todibo to another club as soon as the permanent move clause kicked in over the summer.

He remained in east London, though, and things have got even worse.

Todibo recently dropped out of the side – and then squad – altogether.

Potter had reportedly called Todibo into his office to tell him to improve his effort in training – which fans themselves have noticed is sorely lacking in footage from the club’s media team.

The defender’s alleged response was to turn up late the next day – hence being dropped from the squad for Spurs.

All eyes were on whether the defender would return to the fold at Arsenal, especially after Nuno revealed he was back training and available for selection.

However, Todibo was left out of the squad to face the Gunners.

Now Fabrizio Romano has shared what’s ‘likely’ to happen with Todibo.

Given the club’s huge outlay, many hoped Nuno might be able to finally get a tune and response from Todibo.

It seems the hunch of those who believe Todibo will be joining James Ward-Prowse out of the Hammers exit as soon as January rolls around could be spot on.

That’s if an update from transfer reporter Romano is anything to go by.

Discussing Todibo’s future in GiveMeSport’s newsletter, Romano revealed Italian clubs were in for Todibo in the summer and are likely to now try again in January.

“Are there doubts over the future of Jean-Clair Todibo at West Ham?” Romano said.

Italian clubs circling for Todibo ahead of January window

“Not at this stage, but Italian clubs already called in the summer and are likely to return for Todibo in 2026.”

The Todibo situation is so typical of West Ham’s awful recruitment.

Rule number one when signing a player should always be that the club is certain they really want to come.

That was never the case with Todibo who needed to be heavily persuaded it was the right move.

On the pitch, he has looked Champions League class one game and then Championship the next five.

There are now three months for Todibo to sit out at West Ham waiting for a move.

West Ham will need to ensure they have a replacement lined up first as many felt they needed to sign a new centre-back in the summer anyway.

Don’t be surprised if Todibo barely features in squads from here on out given loan ranger Igor Julio is being preferred and Soungoutou Magassa can also play centre-back.