Newcastle Close to Securing AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw

Newcastle United are on the verge of signing AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, with the German international expected to arrive on Tyneside on Sunday night to finalise his transfer, Sport360NG reports.

The 24-year-old centre-back will undergo a medical before completing a move believed to be worth up to £34.6m (€40m) including add-ons. His arrival would address a key priority for manager Eddie Howe, who is eager to bolster his defensive options, add competition for places, and lower the squad’s average age.

Thiaw is understood to be keen on the switch, offering Newcastle a much-needed breakthrough in a transfer window where several pursuits, including Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and James Trafford, have ended in disappointment.

While Howe stopped short of discussing Thiaw directly over the weekend, he has previously described the former Schalke player as “a very good footballer” and expressed optimism about making progress before Saturday’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa.

“I’ve been hopeful for a number of weeks,” Howe said on Friday. “Everyone behind the scenes has worked tirelessly to make something happen, but it’s never straightforward. The right player at the right price is essential, and there are always many factors that have to align.

“I still believe we have the makings of a very strong side. The balance isn’t quite where it should be, but we’re aiming to put that right with the signings we plan to make. We’ll see how things unfold.”