Newcastle United given green light to pursue £21m transfer as deal collapses

Newcastle United have been given the opportunity to sign AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw.Milan last month accepted a £21million bid from Serie A rivals Como 1907. However, despite weeks of trying, manager Cesc Fabregas was unable to convince Thiaw to join.It’s understood the German favours playing for a team competing in Europe. As per reports in Italy, Newcastle and Crystal Palace, who have qualified for next season’s Champions League and Europa League, respectively, are among the clubs showing interest.Thiaw was heavily linked with Newcastle last summer. At one stage, his agent, Gordon Stipic, was even forced to publicly deny reports that his client was set to move to St James’ Park.The 23-year-old has made 85 appearances for Milan since joining from Schalke 04 in 2022 and has been capped by Germany three times.

When asked by Newcastle world last year about the speculation surrounding Thiaw, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe replied: “No, there’s no update on that”.Howe neither confirmed nor denied the Magpies’ interest, though did admit Thiaw “is a very good player”.

He got a first-hand look at Thiaw during United’s goalless Champions League group draw at the San Siro in September 2023. The defender then missed the reverse fixture at St James’ Park due to a hamstring issue.

I’m always reluctant to comment but he is a player that I know about of course from our games in the Champions League against Milan and yeah, he is a very good player,” Howe said.Going deeper into the summer, the Thiaw links faded and Newcastle instead chased a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. However, due to the Eagles’ high demands, United chiefs walked away from talks.Many had expected the club to make another move for Guehi this summer but as reported by Newcastle world, their interest has cooled.

While the England international is still admired, we understand Newcastle have already turned their attentions elsewhere. Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi and Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini are two names that have since made their way into the public domain.

Palace are in no mood to part with Guehi for a cut-price fee, despite the 24-year-old being out of contract next June 30. Unless the South London outfit lower their demands, the Magpies are unlikely to return to the table.

The situation is also slightly complicated by Liverpool’s interest. As of yet though, the Premier League champions are yet to make an official approach.Palace know Guehi could leave and have come up with a contingency plan to replace him.

Oliver Glasner’s side have talks with Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande, who has also been linked with Newcastle but as reported by NewcastleWorld is not thought to be a genuine target.

Thiaw is also a player under consideration, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. But it isn’t just the Premier League where Thiaw is attracting interest – Bundesliga duo Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich are mentioned by the Italian newspaper.