Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe _(Image: Owen Humphreys)_
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NEWCASTLE United are set for a much-needed transfer boost, with the Magpies closing in on the signing of AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw.
United have agreed a deal worth up to £35m for the 28-year-old, who is a long-term target and is now set to sign a four-year deal at St James' Park.
Providing there are no late hitches, the capture of Thiaw will be a timely boost for Newcastle, who have suffered a number of transfer setbacks this summer and are also currently dealing with the Alexander Isak situation.
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Strengthening at centre-half has always been a priority this summer following last year's failed pursuit of Marc Guehi.
Thiaw, who came off the bench for AC Milan in Saturday's pre-season friendly win against Leeds in Dublin on Saturday, is now expected to have his medical with Newcastle in the next 48 hours.
AC Milan are flying to London tonight ahead of a friendly against Chelsea tomorrow.
Meanwhile, according to fresh reports, Porto's Samu Aghehowa is one of the strikers in Newcastle's thinking after this week's Benjamin Sesko setback.
Newcastle haven't yet made a formal approach to the Portuguese club as they assess their next move.
Newcastle's pre-season campaign concluded with a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Sela Cup on Saturday, with Anthony Gordon having been forced off injured in the second half.