Newcastle United is nearing a deal to acquire defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, with discussions underway to finalize a transfer fee of €35 million (£30.3 million; $40.8 million), supplemented by an additional €5 million (£4.3 million; $5.8 million) in performance-related add-ons. The 24-year-old centre-back is reportedly awaiting permission to travel for the move.
Thiaw, a long-term target of Newcastle, is eager to join the Magpies, further emphasizing his interest in moving to St James’ Park. Newcastle’s pursuit of the player has been ongoing since the summer of 2024. Notably, Thiaw contributed to AC Milan’s defense in their recent Champions League match against Newcastle, helping to secure a clean sheet in the goalless draw at the iconic San Siro, although he missed the second encounter at St. James’ Park due to injury.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe acknowledged Thiaw’s talent when asked about him last summer, highlighting his impressive performance during their fixtures against Milan. Thiaw has been a fixture in the Milan defense since signing from Schalke in 2022 and has a contract extending until 2027. During his tenure with Milan, he made 85 appearances, including 31 last season, when the club lifted the Supercoppa Italiana despite a challenging domestic campaign that saw them finish eighth in Serie A and lose in the Coppa Italia final.
In addition to Thiaw, Newcastle has recently bolstered its squad by signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and bringing in goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan from Southampton. However, several other transfer targets have opted for moves elsewhere, leaving a gap in Newcastle’s ambitions to strengthen their lineup.
Despite facing some challenges in the transfer market, Newcastle’s determination to secure Thiaw signifies their commitment to enhancing the squad for upcoming competitions. This potential addition could provide a significant boost to their defensive lineup as they continue navigating the season ahead.