Newcastle United transfer talks advance as £34m star on 'shortlist'

Newcastle are reportedly working on a move to sign the AC Milan star Malick Thiaw. However, it is suggested that the Magpies head coach Eddie Howe will not enjoy the easiest ride when trying to get the deal across the line with the Italian club hopeful of keeping the defender for the 2024/25 campaign.

According to the latest news from Calciomercato, while Serie A giants Milan would prefer to keep hold of their 22-year-old defensive star, they would be willing to part with the Thiaw if they receive a bid of around £34 million. The German youngster’s agent is also set to hold talks with other interested Premier League parties in the next few days.

The St James’s Park side have been hopeful of bringing in a new central defender to the mix as, while both Fabian Schar and Sven Botman have secured their places in the Newcastle backline, Howe has limited back-up options beyond the formidable duo.

The English manager will also been hopeful of strengthening the Magpies’ back-line after he came under fire last campaign with a string of disappointing performances leading to the club missing out on European football for the 2024/25 season.

The rising Serie A star Thiaw has become an increasingly popular transfer target as his ability to play centre-back, defensive midfielder or on the right-hand side of a back four makes him a hugely versatile prospect.

Last campaign, the ex-Schalke star featured in 30 games across all competitions but, with AC Milan also boasting the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Matteo Gabbia, means a move away from the San Siro Stadium could be the best course of action if the German youngster wishes to enjoy more consistent game time.

While the Italian news outlet has indicated Milan will bid Thiaw farewell for the right price, sports journalist Ben Jacobs also added to the fire by noting, via GiveMeSport: “Newcastle are advancing Malick Thiaw, the German defender who’s on their shortlist to potentially be a new centre-back. AC Milan don’t really want to sell, so that isn’t an easy deal to get over the line, and this is why Newcastle were looking to bring in some funds from these outgoings.

“It’s not just about satisfying the PSR concerns, it’s also about generating a bit of budget so they can move a bit more ambitiously in the market. So, if they do want to put an important offer down for Thiaw, or they do want to increase the bid or place the cash only bid for Kilman, they feel they can afford to do so without any concerns over breaches”

The former Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach youth star moved to AC Milan in August 2022 on a contract should see him remain in Italy until June 2027. The transfer fee was believed to be €5 million paid upfront and an additional €2m paid on bonus-relating clauses. Ahead of the 2023/24 season, Thiaw and Tomori were the team’s starting duo in central defense but the three-time German international was sidelined for eight weeks in December after sustaining an injury.