‘Soon’ – Fabrizio Romano teases Newcastle United ‘here we go’ as player green lights £34m move

Newcastle United appear poised to finally secure their long-awaited defensive reinforcement, with AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw now on the verge of completing a £34 million transfer to St. James’ Park.

After months of searching for the right centre-back, the Magpies have intensified their pursuit of the German defender, and a breakthrough now seems imminent.

The club’s interest in Thiaw is far from new—Newcastle had previously considered him last summer before diverting their focus to Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.

However, their prolonged efforts to land Guehi ultimately fell short, leaving Eddie Howe’s side still in need of defensive reinforcement.

This summer, Guehi remains an option at £40 million, but with Liverpool emerging as his preferred destination, Newcastle have turned their attention back to Thiaw as their primary target.

The 24-year-old’s future at Milan has been uncertain in recent weeks. A £21 million bid from Serie A newcomers Como 1907 was accepted by the Rossoneri, but Thiaw himself rejected the move, prompting manager Massimiliano Allegri to reconsider his role in the squad.

This hesitation has since driven up the player’s valuation, with Milan initially turning down Newcastle’s £26 million approach earlier this week.

However, the latest offer of £34 million has brought negotiations to an advanced stage, with Thiaw reportedly giving his approval for the switch.

Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has hinted that an official announcement could be imminent, stating on social media: “Negotiations advancing fast for Malick Thiaw to Newcastle after new bid close to €40 million package. AC Milan and #NUFC at final stages of talks after the improved proposal and green light from Malick. Here we go could follow soon if all goes to plan.”

The potential arrival of Thiaw would mark a significant step forward in Newcastle’s summer transfer strategy, addressing a key area of concern in Howe’s squad.

The manager himself has remained cautiously optimistic about new signings, emphasizing the challenges of securing the right players under the right conditions.

Speaking after Newcastle’s recent 2-2 pre-season draw against Espanyol, Howe acknowledged the ongoing efforts behind the scenes while tempering expectations.

“I am hopeful, but I’ve been hopeful for a number of weeks,” he admitted. “Everyone behind the scenes has been working incredibly hard to make progress in the transfer market, but it’s a difficult process. The player has to be the right fit, and the deal has to be financially viable. We’re confident we can still field a strong team, but we know the squad balance isn’t perfect. Hopefully, we can address that with the right additions in the coming weeks.”

Howe also stressed the importance of unity and collective effort as the new season approaches, reinforcing the bond between the team and the supporters.

“The fans have been incredible—they’ve seen the commitment we’ve shown, and it’s our job to ensure that same fighting spirit is evident again. Success comes when everyone is aligned, and that’s what we’re striving for.”

If finalized, Thiaw’s signing would not only bolster Newcastle’s defensive options but also signal their intent to compete at a higher level.

With the new Premier League campaign on the horizon, the Magpies are determined to strengthen their squad, and this potential deal could be the first of several key moves before the transfer window closes.

For now, all eyes remain on the final stages of negotiations, with fans eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated “here we go” confirmation from Romano.

Should everything proceed smoothly, Thiaw could soon be unveiled as Newcastle’s latest defensive stalwart, bringing an end to their prolonged search for a top-tier centre-back.