Things are starting to heat up in the transfer market as Newcastle United step up their pursuit of AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw.
As we revealed in an NUFC Blog exclusive last June, the club are long-term admirers of the 22-year-old and looked into a deal this time last year. 13 months later, it appears we are back in talks with Milan and preparing to make our move.
According to a Wednesday morning update from popular Italian paper Gazzetta Dello Sport, Newcastle chiefs are working on a proposal and are expected to launch an opening bid of €30m (£25m) bid, although this is yet to be ‘officially’ submitted.
However, the same report warns that this will NOT be enough to tempt Milan into a sale, insisting the Serie A giants are demanding €40m (£33.6m) for the German international. There is a feeling that we’re stepping up our efforts to sign the centre-back, however, with the report adding ‘the next few days will be heated.’
Gazzetta reveals that new boss Paulo Fonseca sees Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori as his current first-choice centre-back partnership. They would need to replace if he were to seal a big-money move to St James’ Park, so you can understand why they are demanding a significant fee.
So, it sounds like there could be a €10m gap in valuations, if Newcastle do press ahead with an opening offer of €30m. Hopefully a deal can be struck in the coming days. Perhaps a €35m package with bonuses could appeal to the Serie A giants?
