Newcastle United transfer news and rumours including the latest on targets Malick Thiaw and John McGinn
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United have a matter of weeks to turn their transfer window around as they look set to miss out on another summer target in Benjamin Sesko.
The Magpies have been heavily linked with the Slovenian striker over the past week as they look to bring in a replacement for wantaway talisman Alexander Isak. However, Premier League rivals Manchester United appear to be in the driving seat to secure a deal with RB Leipzig, leaving Newcastle with little choice but to look elsewhere.
Yet the forward line is not the only area in need of reinforcements this summer, ahead of a return to the Champions League. Both defence and midfield still require depth to cope with the toll of competing on four fronts. The latest updates suggest Newcastle may finally be moving to get deals over the line.
Here, Chronicle Live rounds up the latest transfer news and rumours from in and around St James’ Park...
Newcastle 'reach agreement' with defender
Having been linked with a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi earlier this summer, it appears Newcastle have re-entered the race for AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw as a potential alternative. The defender was previously said to be on Newcastle's radar last year, although his agent spectacularly came out to shut down the speculation at that time.
The latest update from Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims Newcastle have agreed personal terms with the player on a contract until 2029. However, following a positive pre-season campaign, Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly eager to keep the 23-year-old for the upcoming season.
Some reports suggest only a fee in the region of £30.5 million (€35 million) will be deemed acceptable by the Serie A giants if they are to sanction a sale this summer. Leverkusen are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Chronicle Live says: These developments are certainly intriguing, particularly given suggestions that Newcastle could return for Guehi. Could the club’s hierarchy be anticipating another transfer tussle, and one they may not win, given Liverpool’s reported interest in the England international? If so, shifting focus early to a target like Thiaw is a smart move. Time is no longer a luxury, and they cannot afford to leave themselves short when the transfer window closes in a matter of weeks.
Surprise midfield target emerges
Elsewhere, Newcastle have been linked with a surprise move for Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn. The 30-year-old Scotland international has been at the Midlands club since 2018 and has two years remaining on his current deal at Villa Park.
According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies are considering a bold approach for the midfielder to bolster Howe’s midfield options following the sale of Sean Longstaff to Leeds United. It’s claimed McGinn’s reliability and character are key reasons for Newcastle’s interest, with some suggestions he could be available this summer.
However, there have also been indications that Unai Emery is reluctant to lose the midfielder, who featured 49 times across all competitions last season. McGinn was integral to Villa’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals before they were knocked out by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Chronicle Live says: McGinn is a model professional and certainly fits the profile of player Newcastle should be targeting this summer, especially given the off-field turbulence. That said, it would likely be a difficult and costly deal to pull off, particularly with two years left on his deal. Still, midfield reinforcements are essential to ease the burden on Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali next season, especially with Joe Willock out injured and Lewis Miley still young and developing.
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