West Ham have been handed a fresh complication in their attempts to find Jean-Clair Todibo a new club after Atalanta changed their defensive transfer priorities.
The Serie A side remain interested in the Frenchman, but Udinese defender Thomas Kristensen has now emerged as their preferred target.
Todibo has been expected to leave West Ham this summer following relegation and a difficult campaign under Nuno Espírito Santo.
Several European clubs have considered the 26-year-old, with Atalanta previously among the sides showing the strongest interest.
Jean-Clair Todibo exit route suffers setback
Football Italia now reports that Atalanta have made Kristensen their priority as they look to strengthen in central defence.
Todibo remains on their shortlist, but is currently regarded as the alternative if a deal for the Udinese defender cannot be completed.
That represents a change from earlier reports surrounding the West Ham centre-back.
ReadWestHam reported last week that Atalanta had joined the race for Todibo, with West Ham reportedly willing to consider offers in the region of €17million to €20million.
Atalanta had already made contact over a potential move, while Juventus and Napoli were also linked with the former Nice defender.
The latest development does not completely close the door on a switch to Bergamo, but it reduces the likelihood of Todibo becoming Atalanta’s immediate focus.
West Ham would benefit from resolving his situation before the transfer window closes.
Todibo was not involved in Saturday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth, with Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman starting in central defence and Joel Veltman another senior option available to Nuno.
His departure would also remove another significant salary from the squad and potentially generate funds for West Ham’s remaining recruitment plans.
For now, however, one of Todibo’s clearest potential routes away from east London appears less certain than it did a week ago.
