AC Milan made a rather surprising decision regarding Newcastle United transfer target Malick Thiaw on Saturday before Fabrizio Romano confirmed he was on his way to the club.
Newcastle are hoping to sign Thiaw in what would be a major boost for Eddie Howe ahead of the new season.
Indeed, while this has been a difficult summer for the Newcastle United manager, potentially landing a new defender ahead of the Premier League campaign starting would be a huge positive.
German international Thiaw has reportedly agreed terms over a move to Newcastle and was duly left out of Milan’s pre-season friendly against Leeds on Saturday.
That looked like a major hint over his future, although he was eventually brought on.
Malick Thiaw playing for AC Milan in a pre-season friendly against Leeds United.
Photo by Sara Cavallini/Getty Images
Malick Thiaw plays for AC Milan in pre-season friendly
Despite ongoing talks about his future, Thiaw actually came on for the Italian giants against Sean Longstaff’s Leeds at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
It now looks likely to be his last appearance for a club he joined from Schalke in 2022, but it was certainly noteworthy that they turned to him amid so much speculation.
Still, some big transfer news broke only minutes after their game.
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Fabrizio Romano confirms Malick Thiaw set for Newcastle United medical
Before Thiaw entered the field for Milan for what could well be the final time, transfer expert Romano revealed the player’s thoughts on what could be an imminent move to St James’ Park.
On social media platform X, Romano confirmed that the reason Thiaw didn’t start the game is because he wanted to move to Newcastle as soon as possible.
Not long after, Romano confirmed Milan had verbally accepted Newcastle’s bid of around £34.4million.
Malick Thiaw to Newcastle, here we go! New centre back for Eddie Howe.
Agreement in place for €40m package, add-ons included. AC Milan verbally accepted the proposal.
Deal at the final stages as reported earlier and now done. Thiaw only wanted #NUFC. Medical soon. pic.twitter.com/baJRDdlWov
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 9, 2025
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Given all that’s gone on this summer, it’s brilliant to hear of players who genuinely want to sign for the club.
It’s not been an easy few months but there are reasons to be positive.