After a frustrating summer with little transfer movement, Newcastle United have finally secured some good news — they’ve agreed a deal to bring in AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw.
The clubs have settled on a fee of around £34.3 million, and the German centre-back is expected to arrive on Tyneside soon for his medical.
Thiaw Adds Depth and Competition in Defence
At 24 years old, Thiaw will join a Newcastle backline that’s now packed with options, boosting their central defence to five players.
Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles featured in the recent match at St James’ Park, while last season’s first-choice pairing Fabian Schar and Dan Burn played in a friendly against Espanyol just days earlier.
Looking ahead, Newcastle see Thiaw as the ideal right-sided partner to eventually replace Fabian Schar, who is turning 34 in December.
His arrival also likely spells the end of the club’s long-running interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who was a target throughout last summer.
Striker Search Continues Amid Uncertainty
While the defensive addition brings relief, Newcastle’s hunt for a reliable striker is far from over.
With Alexander Isak clearly wanting to leave for Liverpool and Benjamin Sesko heading to Manchester United, the Magpies are in a tricky spot as the new Premier League season kicks off in just a week.
Reports suggest Eddie Howe’s side has now turned their attention to Porto’s exciting young forward, Samu Aghehowa, after missing out on Sesko.
However, Newcastle have faced rejection from several other forwards they’ve pursued this summer, including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, and Hugo Ekitike, making the situation increasingly urgent.
Aghehowa Could Be the Answer — But Nothing Is Set Yet
According to David Ornstein from The Athletic, Newcastle are considering a move for Aghehowa, though no formal bid has been made so far and there’s no guarantee a deal will happen.
Aghehowa impressed last season for Porto after his transfer from Atletico Madrid, scoring 27 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions.
Notably, he scored twice against Manchester United in the Europa League group stages, showcasing his talent on a big stage.
The 21-year-old signed a five-year deal with Porto through 2029, which includes a hefty €100 million release clause, meaning any move would require a significant investment.
So, while Newcastle have taken an important step by signing Thiaw, the race to secure a proven striker remains on — and with the new season fast approaching, time is running out to find the firepower they desperately need.