JUST IN: West Ham fear agreed transfer is set to collapse after £26.8m development

West Ham United fear they will lose out to Juventus in the race for Jean-Clair Todibo

The newspaper reported in its print edition (page 60, 18 July) that the Hammers have agreed a loan which includes a £26.85million buy-option with OGC Nice.

Todibo is being pushed by his current club to accept a move to the London Stadium.

However, his preferred destination remains Juventus. The Serie A side are yet to table an acceptable bid and must first sell players to raise cash.

West Ham United face a nervous wait to discover if they will sign Jean-Clair Todibo

Tensions will no doubt be high at the London Stadium

If Julen Lopetegui’s side can pull off this deal, it would be huge. It would mean the club have signed both Todibo and Maximilian Kilman.

As a result, their back four would be transformed, something which was much-needed after the club’s atrocious defensive record last season.

However, if the club want Todibo to join, they will need to accept that they are second choice and wait patiently to see if they will eventually land the player.

There is no shame in being second choice to a European giant like Juventus. However, it does mean the club now face an anxious wait to discover if they will sign Todibo.

With Juventus struggling to put the money together, and Nice pushing the player to join West Ham, there is every chance he will end up moving to the London Stadium.

However, this is a transfer which could drag on and on until the window closes.