Newcastle 'advancing' in Malick Thiaw pursuit as €40m bid is tabled for AC Milan star amid disastrous summer transfer window

Reports emerged on Thursday that AC Milan rejected Newcastle's initial €30m (£25m/$35m) for Thiaw as the Italian giants demanded a fee in the region of €45m (£38m/$53m). Now Fabrizio Romano reports that the Rossoneri could finally be convinced to sanction the sale of the defender a receiving an improved bid of €40m (£34.6m/$46.5).   

The report adds that the Magpies and the Italian side are now in advanced talks over the transfer deal, while Thiaw has given his green signal to the move, after agreeing on personal terms. The Premier League side could secure the transfer by next week.  

Thiaw's transfer will come as a huge relief for Newcastle, who have had a disastrous summer transfer window. They missed out on signing several of their key targets, including Hugo Ekitike, who moved to Liverpool and Benjamin Sesko, who opted to sign for Manchester United.   

Eddie Howe will continue to look for a new striker ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, while they are determined to retain the services of star striker Alexander Isak, despite the Sweden international's desire to join Liverpool.