‘A very good player’ – Newcastle boss Howe responds to question about Milan defender

By Oliver Fisher -

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has responded to a question regarding a potential move for Malick Thiaw, confirming his admiration for the defender.

A report from HITC yesterday stated that Newcastle are close to agreeing a £35m deal – which is around €41m – for Thiaw after talks were held over the weekend, and that Milan’s signing of Strahinja Pavlovic is one to cover for his exit.

However, a follow-up report from Sky Germany denied that the former Schalke centre-back is close to joining the Magpies, and his agent Gordon Stipic confirmed this in a comment that he made to the journalist who wrote the article.

“The current reporting about my client Malick Thiaw in connection with a possible transfer to Newcastle United is false and incorrect. Therefore, I will not comment on any further rumours,” he said.

Newcastle are in Tokyo on preseason tour where they will face J-League side Urawa Diamonds on Wednesday, and Howe spoke to the media. He was asked for an update on the Thiaw pursuit, with his response relayed by ShieldsGazette.

“No, there’s no update on that. “I’m always reluctant to comment but he is a player that I know about of course from our games in the Champions League against Milan and yeah, he is a very good player.”

Thiaw has made 54 appearances for the Rossoneri since joining from Schalke but last season he missed quite a large chunk due to a quite serious hamstring injury. The Sky Germany report suggested he would be gladly stay at Milan, where he feels very happy.

Tags AC Milan Malick Thiaw

11 Comments

  1. If this does in fact happen 35-40 million, brilliant. I’m sure Newcastle fans will be irritated as we signed a better Pavlovic for 18 million lol

    1. Yeh but Thiaw’s “expensive” so the fans go wild… Newcastle fans probably have no clue that 80% of Milan fans are praying this move goes through.

    2. I’m suprised they’d be interested in thiaw. Lacroix is basically the same type, but has more exp and would be cheaper for then..

  2. Must go through now that Pavlovic is coming in. Strictly from financial point of view of course because we’re still a CB short. Pavlovic, Tomori, Gabbia and part time RB Kalulu won be enough for 3 tournaments. We need a happy benchwarmer.

    1. Ramos is free. Doubt he would be a happy benchwarmer tho.. still, a 38yo Ramos 10x better than a 26yo Tomori 😀

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