Newcastle dealt bad news in Malick Thiaw pursuit as AC Milan coach demands defender stay amid €30m bid from Premier League side

According to Fabrizio Romano, Milan have deemed the €30m (£25m/$35m) bid for Thiaw insufficient and will only consider an offer of around €45m (£38m/$53m). Head coach Allegri values him as a key part of the squad thanks to his impressive performances in the pre-season games. However, according to Sky, Newcastle have already agreed personal terms with the defender on a contract running until 2029.

Milan signed the 23-year-old from Schalke for €8m in 2022. After a challenging start in Italy, he impressed then head coach Stefano Pioli and earned a regular starting role during the 2023-24 season. The following season, under Paulo Fonseca, Thiaw continued to see consistent game time and caught attention with strong performances, including a goal against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. His form also drew interest from Como coach Cesc Fabregas, but the German defender turned down the opportunity to make the move.

Having completed the signing of Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge, Milan will now try to conclude the deal for Young Boys defender Zachary Athekame who has been targeted as the replacement for Emerson Royal who left the club to join Flamengo.

Milan will resist any attempts to sell defender Thiaw, as coach Allegri has specifically asked for him to remain at the club. The German, meanwhile, hopes for clarity on his future soon, with the new season set to begin in a few days.