Eddie Howe is ‘absolutely in love’ with player who Newcastle United are trying to sign

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Newcastle United manger Eddie Howe will be ecstatic if his transfer wish comes true this summer.

The Magpies are yet to make a major move in the transfer window this summer, as Paul Mitchell and Eddie Howe decide who to move for.

The Toon chiefs will collaborate on transfers, with Howe given assurances that he will have a say in recruitment. As for the sporting director, Mitchell is eager to work alongside Howe when it comes to transfers.

Everyone must be in unison, with Newcastle United looking to sign a centre-back ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Jean-Clair Todibo was linked, but not everyone on Tyneside was keen about the idea of him arriving. Regardless, he wants to go to Juventus anyway.

Eddie Howe ‘in love’ with Newcastle United transfer target

But there is a lot more enthusiasm about another one of Newcastle’s targets, with Eddie Howe a major fan of Malick Thiaw.

That is according to journalist Matteo Moretto, who has spoke to Caught Offside about Newcastle’s interest in the AC Milan defender.

“The Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is absolutely in love with Malick Thiaw,” he said.

“But he has wanted him for the last year, for a long time.

“As things stand, there are no talks between the clubs, and no official offer. AC Milan are willing to listen to offers for €30million/€35million, and while Thiaw is happy in Milan, he knows that if a good offer comes in for him, then they will listen to it.

“We shall have to see if in the coming weeks Newcastle make an offer, he has a big fan in Howe, but there’s no confirmation that they will even move for him. I know that Newcastle have a shortlist of three central defenders. Thiaw is one of them, but internally, they are still evaluating which one to go for.”

Howe has expressed his admiration for Malick Thiaw

Moretto believes that Howe is a big fan of Thiaw, and the Newcastle boss has actually addressed the club’s interest in the 22-year-old during the pre-season trip to Japan.

Howe has admitted that Thiaw is a ‘very good player’, but was unable to provide an update on whether or not he will be signing for the Magpies this summer.

The hope is that he will be, as Newcastle eye a right-sided centre-back to play alongside Sven Botman in the future and serve as Fabian Schar’s successor.

Thiaw looks ideal for that role, but there appears to be no agreement in place as of yet between Newcastle United and AC Milan.

It has been reported by the Times that Milan want £35million for Thiaw, while Newcastle are aiming to pay around £25million.

Interestingly, Moretto notes that Toon officials have a couple of other centre-back targets on their radar. It will be interesting to know who they are, and whether they feature higher on the club’s wanted list than Thiaw.

But, if Moretto is correct, you have to assume that Thiaw is at the top of Howe’s list.