Josh Acheampong of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)placeholder image
Josh Acheampong of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United ended their long centre-back search by signing Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.
The Magpies’ search for a right-sided centre-back began last year. Interest was shown in Thiaw before attention switched to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
But it was a pursuit that proved fruitless, as United refused to meet the Eagles’ rumoured £70million asking price. Scarred from the saga, Newcastle this summer decided against returning for Guehi, who still remains a Palace player after a deadline day move to Liverpool fell through.
Eddie Howe’s side instead accelerated their interest in Thiaw, and, after he turned down a move to Como 1907 earlier in the summer, moved to St James’ Park for £35m.
Newcastle United ‘called’ for Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong
But before finalising the deal in early August, Newcastle ‘called’ for Chelsea defender Acheampong, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The 19-year-old attracted interest from several clubs, but the Blues had no plans to sell him.
Romano told Here We Go Podcast: “There was a lot of interest in Acheampong. There were some concrete calls in the final weeks of the transfer window. For example, before signing Malick Thiaw, Newcastle looked at Acheampong as one of the possible options but for Chelsea it was impossible to let him go.
“Also, Bournemouth wanted the player on loan with a final agreement with Chelsea but Chelsea closed the door to that possible opportunity.
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“Bayern considered [a move] at the end of May to beginning of June when Kim Min-jae was considered as one of the players who could maybe leave the club but Kim didn’t leave and Bayern decided to continue with the current players.
“Also, don’t forget that Chelsea didn’t want to sell Acheampong in any case.”
Malick Thiaw awaiting his first Newcastle United start
Thiaw is regarded as a long-term replacement for Fabian Schar, who turns 34 in December. But in the short term, the former Switzerland international is showing he is hard to displace.
Schar and Dan Burn have continued their centre-back partnership at the start of this season, keeping three clean sheets out of four.
That has restricted Thiaw to just one appearance, and that came during the final 10 minutes in the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool after Schar was forced off with a head injury.
But with a busy period of domestic and European fixtures, Thiaw’s full debut is just around the corner.
Malick Thiaw reacts to joining Newcastle United
Thiaw racked up 85 appearances during his three years in Milan, including one against Newcastle at the San Siro in the Champions League.The 24-year-old began his professional career with Schalke 04 and has earned three caps for Germany.
On joining Newcastle, Thiaw said: "I'm really excited to join this massive club. I can't wait to start training and to get to know my new teammates and all the staff.
"The gaffer showed me his vision and what he wants to do with me as a player and the club itself, which is really exciting. I think Newcastle speaks for itself. It's a great club, a big club with passionate fans who I can't wait to see at St. James' Park."
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