Thiaw targeted by Newcastle United again, but Milan situation changed | OneFootball

Newcastle United have reportedly resumed their pursuit of Malick Thiaw, but face two further hurdles from Milan, including a Premier League price hike.

It has been a rather difficult summer for the defender, who already rejected a transfer that had been agreed with Como, then seemed uninterested in the Magpies either.

He was determined to either remain and fight for his place under new coach Max Allegri at San Siro, or return to the Bundesliga.

Thiaw back on Newcastle United radar

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Zepiqueno Redmond of Feyenoord is challenged by Malick Thiaw of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at San Siro Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Now transfer pundit Matteo Moretto claims via Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel that Newcastle United are back asking after his availability.

There are two big problems that have developed since the first approach, though.

The first is that Thiaw has impressed Allegri during pre-season training and Milan are not quite as eager to sell as they had been previously.

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 05: Malick Thiaw of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Real Madrid C.F. and AC Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 05, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The other, as pointed out by MilanNews, is that Premier League clubs have a reputation for spending big and therefore the asking price is boosted when doing business with them.

It means the €25m offer from Como that had been accepted by the Rossoneri, but not by the player, is no longer sufficient.

If Newcastle United want to do a deal, they are going to have to pay around €35m instead.

That money could then be used to reinvest in Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, who would cost around €40m.