Newcastle Interest in Signing £25m Star ‘100% Confirmed’
Newcastle United is confident that their transfer target, Malick Thiaw, possesses immense potential. The Magpies have already discussed a possible swap deal involving Kieran Trippier heading in the opposite direction. If Thiaw joins, he will be the second central defender to sign with Newcastle this summer, following the arrival of Lloyd Kelly.
AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw has caught the eye of Newcastle United as they explore a cut-price deal for the German. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed this exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, noting the Magpies’ admiration for Thiaw, who has been linked with a move to St James’ Park in recent weeks.
According to Romano, Thiaw’s value has decreased after his second season with AC Milan, who signed him from Schalke in 2022. Newcastle registered their interest in Thiaw back in June, when the club was still scrambling to sell players before the end of the month to avoid breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Romano suggests Eddie Howe’s side even discussed a swap deal with the Serie A giants involving Thiaw, with Kieran Trippier going the other way, but negotiations eventually fell through.
Despite the collapse of the initial swap deal, Newcastle remains confident in Thiaw’s potential. Romano stated, “The appreciation of the player is 100% confirmed. He’s a player they really like. They believe he has big potential. He had a fantastic first two seasons at Milan, and last year he was not in the best shape, so that’s probably why the price dropped, and Newcastle believe that could be a nice opportunity for them.”
Newcastle’s new sporting director, Paul Mitchell, reportedly favors the move for Thiaw. After welcoming ex-Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly to Tyneside, Howe looks set to bring in another center-back this summer. With Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles recovering from long-term anterior cruciate ligament injuries, Thiaw’s arrival could bolster the defensive lineup.
Thiaw, known for his ability as a ball-playing defender, is comfortable playing out from the back and would fit well alongside Fabian Schar. Last season, the German ranked fourth in Serie A in pass accuracy (91.6%) among all players. Reports from Italy suggest Milan could seek up to £25 million for Thiaw, who still has three years remaining on his current deal, which runs out in June 2027.
| Malick Thiaw Stats (2023/24 Serie A) | |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 1,619 |
| Goals/assists | 0/1 |
| Pass success rate (%) | 91.6 |
| Tackles per game | 1.89 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.72 |
In addition to Thiaw, Newcastle is also eyeing Leeds United star winger Crysencio Summerville. The Dutchman has attracted interest from multiple top-division clubs this summer, including West Ham United, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa.
According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, Fulham is the latest club to join the race for Summerville, who looks set to depart Elland Road after an unsuccessful promotion push last term.
Summerville was a key player for Leeds boss Daniel Farke last season, being voted as the Championship Player of the Season, scoring 20 goals and registering nine assists in the process.
Newcastle United’s strategic transfer moves and financial management are crucial as they navigate the complexities of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
The potential signings of Malick Thiaw and Crysencio Summerville reflect the club’s ambition to strengthen their squad and maintain their competitive edge. With careful planning and strategic acquisitions, Newcastle aims to build a robust team capable of competing at the highest levels in both domestic and European competitions.
