Newcastle transfer woes continue as €30m offer fails as Benjamin Sesko nears Man Utd move

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Newcastle made an initial offer of €30m (£26m) for Milan defender Malick Thiaw but that has not been accepted by the Italian giants. The Magpies could yet return with a higher bid, with €35m (£30.5m) expected to be enough to secure his signature. 

After qualifying for the Champions League, things looked rosy for Newcastle heading into the summer. However, star striker Alexander Isak wants to leave, they look set to be beaten to Benjamin Sesko's signature by Manchester United, and long-term goalkeeper target James Trafford joined Manchester City instead of them. If they can't land Thiaw, that will be another blow.

Thiaw began his career at Schalke before joining Milan in 2022 for an initial €5m. Now, the 23-year-old is a German international, has played 85 times for the Italian giants, and is reportedly wanted by a Premier League side for big money.

It remains to be seen if Newcastle will return with an improved offer for the 6ft 4in centre-back, whose contract runs until 2027, and whether or not they will miss out on Sesko as well. With the Premier League season less than two weeks away, Eddie Howe's men are running out of time to make key signings.