West Ham's obligation to buy Todibo activated

West Ham's obligation to sign on-loan Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo on a permanent basis has been activated after the club retained their Premier League status.

The France centre-back joined the Hammers on a season-long loan from the Ligue 1 side last summer, and the deal included a potential obligation to sign him full-time.

The conditions of the transfer have remained confidential, but multiple sources have told BBC Sport the primary stipulation in West Ham's agreement with Nice over a permanent deal was retaining their Premier League status.

That was confirmed on Saturday when Ipswich became the final club to have their relegation into the Championship confirmed.

It is understood the fee to turn Todibo's deal permanent is £36.3m (42.5m euros).

Sources close to the deal insist a few minor details are still to be finalised but have confirmed the process of signing the 25-year-old has now opened.

Todibo has made 25 appearances for the Hammers in a season that has been partially disrupted by injury.

Defeat by Brighton on Saturday was a seventh game in a row without victory for Graham Potter's side - four of which have been losses.

Potter was appointed in January after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, who replaced David Moyes last summer.

Speaking before Saturday's defeat at the Amex Stadium, Todibo said: "We've felt a lot of frustration, for sure, and we have to work more, but we are in a good way.

"We just need more time with this manager because when you have the positives in the game, the result is going to come."