West Ham United have reached an agreement with RC Lens for Jean-Clair Todibo to leave on loan, with the defender already undergoing his medical in France.
The 26-year-old is closing in on a return to Ligue 1 after West Ham agreed terms with Lens during the final days of the summer transfer window.
RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins, via Get French Football News, reports that Todibo is already in Lens completing his medical ahead of the move.
West Ham agree Jean-Clair Todibo Lens loan
The agreement is understood to be a straight loan without an option to buy, meaning Todibo remains a West Ham player beyond the end of the temporary move.
Hawkins also reports that the France international has made a significant financial effort to help facilitate his return to French football.
Todibo had attracted interest from several clubs during the summer.
Aston Villa explored a move for the centre-back, while Marseille had also tracked his situation, but financial restrictions prevented the Ligue 1 club from moving decisively for him.
Lens have now moved ahead of the competition and are preparing to add Todibo to a squad that will compete in the Champions League this season.
For West Ham, his departure would continue the significant reshaping of Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The Hammers have already been considering Everton defender Michael Keane as an experienced centre-back option, while young defender Airidas Golambeckis was trusted to start Saturday’s 1-1 Championship draw against Watford.
Todibo’s impending exit therefore makes West Ham’s remaining defensive recruitment particularly important.
Our recent analysis of the West Ham rebuild following Malick Diouf’s £40m departure highlighted the need to balance further departures with enough experienced depth for a demanding promotion campaign.
Todibo must still complete his medical and the remaining formalities before Lens officially announce the transfer.
However, with an agreement now in place and the defender already undergoing tests in France, his West Ham exit appears close to completion.
