Aston Villa are exploring a deal to sign West Ham United defender Jean-Clair Todibo. The move comes as the Premier League side seeks a new centre-back following Ezri Konsa's transfer to Arsenal last week, according to a report from The Athletic.
West Ham, who were relegated to the Championship this season, currently sit 19th with two points from three games. Their recent form reads DLD, having scored four goals and conceded five. They are seven points behind league leaders Charlton ahead of a home match against second-placed Wolves on September 1st.
Why is Aston Villa looking for a defender?
Aston Villa's need for defensive reinforcement was triggered by Ezri Konsa's sale to Arsenal. The club had been progressing in talks to sign 22-year-old Ecuadorian Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge on an initial loan with a €30 million obligation. That deal is now off, with Crystal Palace stepping up negotiations for the player. Villa had concerns over Ordonez's recovery from a metatarsal fracture suffered during the World Cup, which would have delayed his availability at the start of the season. The club has also seen bids rejected for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Villa offered £18 million plus add-ons for the 24-year-old, then made an improved offer that still fell short of the Championship club's valuation. With those avenues currently closed, Villa is deciding on alternatives.
Where does Jean-Clair Todibo fit in?
Jean-Clair Todibo, 26, is prominent on Aston Villa's shortlist. The French defender joined West Ham in 2025 from Nice and has made 54 appearances for the club. He is available to depart following West Ham's relegation. This would be the second deal between the two clubs this month, following the season-long loan of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Villa. That agreement includes an option to buy that becomes an obligation if certain conditions are met this campaign. Todibo's potential exit adds to the challenges for a West Ham squad already missing midfielder Tomáš Souček, who is currently sidelined. Fans can track the team's availability on our injuries page.
What does this mean for West Ham?
The potential departure of an experienced defender like Todibo comes at a difficult time for West Ham. The team is searching for its first win of the Championship season and faces a tough test against high-flying Wolves next. Managerial decisions will focus on shoring up a defence that has conceded five goals in three matches. The club's league position and early struggles underline the scale of the task ahead this season. Supporters can follow the team's progress and upcoming challenges, including the next fixture, on our fixtures and standings pages. The focus remains on building momentum and climbing the table.
