Alvaro Morata and Malick Thiaw of AC Milan celebrate their team's second goal, an own goal scored by Federico Gatti of Juventus during the Italian Super Cup Semi-Final match between AC Milan and Juventus at Al Awwal Park on January 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)placeholder image
Alvaro Morata and Malick Thiaw of AC Milan celebrate their team's second goal, an own goal scored by Federico Gatti of Juventus during the Italian Super Cup Semi-Final match between AC Milan and Juventus at Al Awwal Park on January 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United considered a move for the AC Milan defender last summer.
Newcastle United are assessing their options as they look to add a new centre-back to the squad this summer.
Eddie Howe first looked to address the position last summer, identifying Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as his top target.
Newcastle were understood to have submitted several bids for Guehi, only to be left frustrated by Palace, whose £70million asking price forced the club to walk away from talks during the final week of the summer transfer window.
Paul Mitchell reportedly suggested Jean-Clair Todibo as a potential alternative but the Frenchman went on to join West Ham United on loan before recently completing a permanent £33m transfer.
Guehi remains high on the priority list, with Palace expected to cash in as he enters the final year of his contract. However, in a blow to the Magpies, Liverpool have emerged as favourites.
With Jarell Quansah on the verge of joining Bayer Leverkusen for £35million, The Telegraph claims the Reds are expected to use the funds to launch a “significant offer” for Guehi. As a result, Newcastle may need to prioritise other targets.
Newcastle United 2024 transfer target on the move
Speaking during the pre-season tour of Tokyo, Howe admitted Thiaw was a “very good player” having months earlier faced him in the Champions League. Thiaw played in the goalless draw at the San Siro but missed the reverse fixture at St James’ Park because of a hamstring injury.
Despite the noise, nothing materialised. Some might have wondered if Newcastle would reignite their interest but Thiaw, it seems, is set for a move elsewhere. As per Fabrizio Romano, Como 1907 have agreed a £21m deal with Milan with the transfer now subject to the player agreeing personal terms.
Newcastle United linked with another Serie A defender
Reports in Italy have linked Newcastle with a move for Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini, but NewcastleWorld understands the Serie A outfit are unwilling to listen to offers. An Atalanta source has insisted the club view him as the “crown jewel” of their youth setup and as an important player heading into a Champions League campaign.
The insider said: “Will Atalanta sell? Absolutely no chance. We are very transparent normally with who is going and who isn't. See (Rasmus) Hojlund, Koop (Teun Koopmeiners), Ederson and (Ademola) Lookman.
“If you pay our price you get the player, everyone else we tend to lock down. Scalvini, on this occasion, is no different. Atalanta have no desire to sell and he is expected to play a key role under new manager Ivan Juric. The stance is firm from Atalanta at the moment - he won't be sold.”
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