Wayne Veysey

Thu 25 July 2024 11:25, UK

Newcastle United are closing in on a deal to sign AC Milan central defender Malick Thiaw, sources have told Football Insider.

Talks are being held over a deal as Newcastle are working hard to sign another centre-back after landing Lloyd Kelly earlier this summer.

Milan are holding out for a fee of £35million after turning down an initial offer of £25million from Eddie Howe’s team.

The Magpies turned their attention to Thiaw, 22, after his AC Milan teammate Fikayo Tomori rejected the opportunity to move to St James’ Park.

As first revealed by Football Insider on 17 June, Newcastle had made contact with the defender’s representatives over a move, but he believes Milan are a “bigger club”.

Newcastle United close in on Malick Thiaw deal after AC Milan talks

Milan signed Thiaw from Schalke 04 for an initial fee of just £4.2million in 2022 and he has since made 54 appearances in Italy.

Last season, he established himself as a key part of the defence, playing 30 games as Milan ultimately finished second.

Just two years after arriving at the San Siro, the 22-year-old could make the move to Newcastle and land his current club a huge profit on his sale.

With the Rossoneri standing firm in their demand of £35million, they could bank up to £30.8million in profit from the defender’s departure.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are scouring the market for a new centre-back given the long-term injury issues in that position.

Both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles suffered cruciate ligament injuries towards the latter part of last season, leaving Howe short of options.

The arrival of Kelly from Bournemouth on a free transfer was seen as a coup, but the new-look recruitment team at St James’ Park are still looking to improve their squad.

In other news, Stefan Borson has revealed what Man United really paid for Dan Ashworth.

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