Newcastle make move for Milan defender

Newcastle have made an approach for AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw. Talks are now underway between the two clubs, with the Italian giants likely to demand a fee upwards of €30 million.

Newly reappointed Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri views Thiaw as an important player for his system. Allegri would prefer to keep the German, although the prospect of Champions League football is likely to tempt him with a move to Tyneside, especially as Milan failed to qualify for European football after a dismal campaign in the Serie A last time out.

Newcastle had previously been linked with the defender last summer, but instead opted out of a move in order to approach Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, a move which subsequently failed.

The 23-year-old recently rejected a proposal from Cesc Fabregas' Como, with Thiaw believing that there were better options elsewhere. He has also recently been linked with fellow Italian side Juventus, as well as Erik Ten Hag's Leverkusen, although Newcastle now seems his most likely destination.

Thiaw joined the Rossoneri from German side Schalke in the summer of 2022 for a fee of around €9 million euros, with Schalke inserting a 10 percent sell-on clause into the deal. He has made 79 appearances for the Italian club since his arrival in Milan.