Real Madrid working intensively to sign Milan’s Malick Thiaw | OneFootball

Real Madrid are working intensively to sign Milan and Germany defender Malick Thiaw, according to Sport Bild.

The 22-year-old has a contract with the Italian side until 2027 but with Real defender Rafa Marín garnering interest from Bayer Leverkusen, Los Blancos are scouring the market for defensive additions. With a market value of €30m, per Transfermarkt, Thiaw has played 26 games across all competitions for Milan this season.

After coming through Schalke’s infamous Knappenschmiede, Thiaw played 61 games for the Royal Blues before moving to Milan for €8.8m in 2022. Since his move to the San Siro, the 22-year-old defender has played 50 games across all competitions while also making his German national team debut in June 2023 under Hansi Flick.

Interest in Bayer Leverkusen defenders to kickstart merry-go-round

Bayer Leverkusen have drawn up a shortlist in the event that a defender leaves the Bundesliga champions this season, with Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapié potential departures. Bayern Munich have opened talks with Tah’s representatives, while Hincapié could leave should Bayer 04 receive around €50m.

Should one of them depart, Bayer Leverkusen will target Rafa Marin (Real Madrid) and Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna). Should Marin leave Real in the summer, then that will force them to make strengthen their defence, with Milan’s Thiaw being a candidate.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder