EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle back in for Milan's Malick Thiaw after two-year pursuit

Newcastle United's search for a new right-sided centre-back continues and Malick Thiaw is well and truly back in the club's thoughts.

NUFCBlog was the first to reveal Newcastle's interest in the AC Milan talent back in June 2023, with club scouts taking a close look at the German international after his eye-catching displays following a move from Schalke.

We reported last summer that the 23-year-old remained a player of keen interest following the 2023/24 season, although Eddie Howe opted to push for Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi instead in an ultimately unsuccessful pursuit last August.

Another summer on, we can reveal that Newcastle United continue to take a serious look at the 6ft 4' centre-back, with Toon scouts in the stands to watch Thiaw in two pre-season friendlies over in the Far East last week.

The German started in Milan's 4-2 win over Liverpool in Hong Kong last week, also impressing at the heart of a back three in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last Wednesday in front of Newcastle officials.

Two scouting trips while over in Asia to assess his performances against top Premier League oppositions feels telling; and he shone in both.

Intriguingly, Thiaw's proposed move to Como broke down early this month, with the player rejecting the chance to join Cesc Fabregas' side.

As a result, this is now considered a market opportunity for Newcastle, who know that a €25m package was agreed between Milan and Como just a few weeks ago, indicating their willingness to sell at a very reasonable price.

According to reports in Italy, Thiaw rejected the move in hope of playing European football next season, something Newcastle can offer, and the fee would be less than half what's required to land either Guehi or Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini.

Bayer Leverkusen have shown interest in Thiaw along with Crystal Palace, who have one eye on Guehi's likely sale, but there is a deal here to be done for Newcastle after a two-year pursuit.

With age on his side, an impressive physical profile and the ability to play as a right or left-sided centre-back, there is a lot to like about Thiaw, who also has Champions League experience under his belt during his time at the San Siro.

A serious one to watch in our ongoing pursuit of a young, right footed centre-back.

Elsewhere, news today of Newcastle's interest in Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz confirms the story we brought to you in early June, where NUFCBlog revealed that the Brazilian forward is a player the club have been tracking over the 2024/25 season.