Eddie Howe is absolutely in love with the €35m Newcastle target
Newcastle United is looking for a new center-back and have been linked with AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw. Eddie Howe is “absolutely in love” with the player.
Newcastle will have limited center-back options in 2024/25 due to long-term knee injuries sustained by Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles at the close of the previous season. The Tyneside club has already signed Lloyd Kelly, but Howe would like another defender to join.
The English coach is said to be “absolutely in love” with Milan’s Malick Thiaw and has wanted the 22-year-old for over a year, says transfer expert Matteo Moretto.
The German star has a contract at the San Siro until 2027 and is believed to be happy in Milan, however, he is aware that the Serie A giants are open to selling him if a good offer arrives. The Italian club are willing to part ways with Thiaw if a bid of around €30m/€35m arrives but as of now, Newcastle have yet to submit an official proposal for the centre-back.
The German star has been an important player for Milan since he arrived in 2022 and if an offer doesn’t come in for the defender, the Serie A giants will be more than happy to keep him for another season.
Newcastle’s Eddie Howe is a major fan of AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw.
“The Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is absolutely in love with Malick Thiaw. But he has wanted him for the last year, for a long time,” the transfer journalist said.
“As things stand, there are no talks between the clubs, and no official offer. AC Milan are willing to listen to offers for €30m/€35m, and while Thiaw is happy in Milan, he knows that if a good offer comes in for him, then they will listen to it.
“We shall have to see if in the coming weeks Newcastle make an offer, he has a big fan in Howe, but there’s no confirmation that they will even move for him. I know that Newcastle have a shortlist of three central defenders. Thiaw is one of them, but internally, they are still evaluating which one to go for.”
