Newcastle in contact to sign £25m defender who Eddie Howe has already called ‘very good’

TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Newcastle United are actively looking at bolstering their defence in the upcoming transfer window, with renewed interest in a high-profile Serie A target.

The Magpies head into the final matchday of the Premier League season with a plausible chance of finishing in the top five, a position that could qualify them for next season’s Champions League.

Champions League qualification is extremely important for Newcastle both financially and for retaining top players like Alexander Isak, as well as attracting new talent, with several new signings expected.

TBR Football understands that the Magpies will be in the market for a new central defender, and one name on their radar is Malick Thiaw.

Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

Newcastle renew interest in AC Milan star Malick Thiaw

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has been informed that Newcastle are one of several clubs in contact with AC Milan over a potential move for Thiaw.

The Italian club have informed Spurs about the player’s current situation, with the Serie A giants prepared to listen to offers for some of their regular starters.

This is not the first time Newcastle have been linked with him. Thiaw was a target for Newcastle last year, and were reportedly close to signing him, but the deal did not materialise as Milan opted to keep the 23-year-old.

TBR Football understands that Thiaw remains a player of interest for Eddie Howe, who has previously expressed his admiration for the player.

What has Eddie Howe said about Malick Thiaw

Thiaw, who is likely to be available for a fee close to £25m, was strongly linked with a move to St.James’ Park last summer, with Newcastle in ‘active contact’ with the player’s agent.

It reached a point that Howe even commented on the situation during one of the press conferences on their pre-season tour, describing Thiaw as ‘very good’.

When asked about the player, Howe said: “There’s no updates on that.

“I’m always reluctant to comment on these things, but he’s a player I know about, of course I do, from our games in the Champions League against Milan and yeah, he’s a very good player, but that’s it.”

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