Kicker: Milan could sign Schalke star for ‘around €5m’ and move is an ‘attractive option’ | OneFootball

AC Milan could seal the signing of Malick Thiaw for a minimal fee because of Schalke’s issues and the defender could prove to be a tremendous piece of business, one journalist has claimed.

The 20-year-old German centre-back has become the most talked about name in the last few hours as the Milan management look to bolster the rearguard but without making a major investment. The big arrival will likely be postponed until the summer but signing a young defender with high potential is something that Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara seem to agree on.

MilanNews interviewed Toni Lieto – a Schalke correspondent for the German source Kicker – about the rumours linking Thiaw with a move to Milan and whether there is any truth to it.

“Milan’s interest in Thiaw is concrete. The player has a contract with Schalke 04 until 2024 signed in 2020, but he could also leave immediately with a suitable offer. Yesterday Thiaw was not present at training with the team for a ‘workload management’: this is not a lie, as it is equally true that there are negotiations underway for him,” he said.

“In my opinion he is a player who could not suffer too much from the jump from the 2. Bundesliga to Serie A and the eventual positive closure of the deal could be a bargain for both clubs. Milan would secure a player who is calm, reliable, above all young and growing with still so much potential to express, while Schalke would solve part of their great financial difficulties.

“The German club already have a replacement in Marius Lode, to which is added the recovery after a long injury of Salif Sané. Then, it’s clear Milan are a very attractive option for Thiaw, even if now he plays in a prestigious club anyway.

“I think it could close in this mercato for around 5 million euros. Schalke are in a very difficult financial situation, with debts of around 200 million euros. Of course, they would like to have ten million for the player, but on the other hand everything must be analysed.

“Five million would be a sum that would make them think, especially by studying an interesting formula such as a loan with option to buy.”

Calciomercato.com recently confirmed previous reports from other sources both in Italy and Germany by stating that Schalke 04’s Malick Thiaw is a target for the Rossoneri. However, there is competition from Napoli who have made enquiries, while some Bundesliga and Premier League clubs are in the running too.

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