Geordie Boot Boys understands that Newcastle United remain big admirers of a centre-back who nearly joined as an alternative to Marc Guehi in 2024.
With Dan Burn and Fabian Schar approaching their mid-30s, Eddie Howe has come to the realisation that he must sign a younger centre-back this summer as their long-term replacement.
Newcastle United have less of a problem replacing Burn, as they already have 25-year-old Sven Botman at their disposal. However, the Magpies still need to sign someone to replace Schar, who turns 34 in December.
It was reported that Newcastle are interested in Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini. The 21-year-old made just eight appearances in Serie A last season, but has still caught the eye of Howe’s recruitment team this summer.
However, Newcastle have been informed that Scalvini will be hard to buy, meaning they must look elsewhere for a young defender. With a centre-back on the shopping list, football transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has informed Geordie Boot Boys of a defender Newcastle are big fans of who could sign this summer.
Malick Thiaw looks on during an AC Milan training session.
Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images
Newcastle United remain interested in Malick Thiaw
Last summer, Newcastle put in a £70million offer for Marc Guehi, which was rejected by Crystal Palace. Sporting director Paul Mitchell was frustrated that the Guehi deal never happened and was not able to sign a centre-back for Howe that summer.
While the deal for Guehi was going on, Newcastle were also looking to sign Malick Thiaw from AC Milan. The Magpies were willing to put down £30m for Thiaw, but the Italian giants wanted much more than that.
With Newcastle still looking for a centre-back, Bailey informed Geordie Boot Boys that Thiaw to Newcastle is the “one to watch”.
2024/25 Serie A statistics Malick Thiaw
Appearances 22
Minutes 1803
Tackles/90 1.1
Interceptions/90 0.7
Clean sheets 8
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Newcastle still have a big admiration for him, so a deal could be struck for the 23-year-old if Howe opts against signing Scalvini.
Reports elsewhere stated that a deal worth £21m had been agreed between AC Milan and Como for Thiaw, but the defender appears to be second-guessing the move, perhaps because Newcastle are keen.
Malick Thiaw wants to continue playing in Europe amid Newcastle United interest
Not only would Thiaw bring the average age of Newcastle’s defence down, but he would also bring bags of quality with him which he can use to his advantage in the Premier League.
At 23, Thiaw has already been capped three times with the German national team and even won the Supercoppa Italiana with Milan last season.
While Como remain poised to bring Thiaw to the club, it has been confirmed that the defender is finding it difficult to agree to the move.
Speaking to Fabrizio Romano last week, Matteo Moretto told Romano that the Como deal could still fall through.
“The more time passes, the more difficult it is for Thiaw to say yes to Como,” he said.
“They tell me that it is true that Como is doing everything and more to try to convince him, but the German would like to continue playing in a European competition, if possible.
“There is some appreciation from the Premier League. Last year Newcastle were looking for Thiaw and today Newcastle is still looking for a central defender.
“So keep an eye on this path, at the moment there is nothing concrete, but I can confirm that Newcastle is also evaluating Thiaw, who, in addition to returning to Germany, would be interested in an experience in the Premier League.”