'Very good' - Malick Thiaw admission as Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe responds

Sources in Italy claim the Magpies have made contact over signing the German, with his agent Gordon Stipic forced to deny that a transfer was close on Monday.

The Magpies are currently in Tokyo, where they take on J-League side Urawa Diamonds on Wednesday (kick-off 7:30pm local time) and trained at the Komazawa Olympic Park this afternoon.

Howe addressed the media after the session and Thiaw was put to Newcastle’s head coach for the first time. He told NewcastleWorld: “No, there’s no update on that.”

When asked he likes the player, Howe replied: “I’m always reluctant to comment but he is a player that I know about of course from our games in the Champions League against Milan and yeah, he is a very good player.”

Newcastle are understood to be the market for another central defender this summer having already brought in Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth. Both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are sidelined until later this year due to ACL injuries.

Thiaw has made 54 appearances for Milan since joining from Schalke 04 two years ago. He appeared in last season’s goalless Champions League draw against Newcastle at the San Siro but missed the reverse fixture with a hamstring injury.

There are suggestions Milan want £33million for Thiaw, while United value him around £8m less.

United were stung by Milan last year after signing Sandro Tonali for £55m. Just 12 games into his Tyneside career, the Italian was slapped with a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations. He is due to return on August 29.

Konnichiwa! Newcastle United are in Japan - and so too are NewcastleWorld!

Our Newcastle United writer Jordan Cronin is there all week, providing coverage of the tour, behind the scenes video and analysis from Tokyo.

And we’re proud to announce that our Newcastle United coverage of the tour has a sponsor! Every story from Japan will be sponsored by Mobility Care Solutions Ltd, with the shop’s official mascot Murphy!

Eddie Howe's men take on Urawa Red Diamonds at the Saitama Stadium on Wednesday, July 31. They then face J.League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday, August 3.

For more information on Mobility Care Solutions Ltd click this link.