Eddie Howe publicly admits £35m star who Newcastle want to sign is a ‘very good player’

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has addressed the Magpies’ interest in signing Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.

The Toon boss has already signed one centre-back this summer, with Eddie Howe delighted to welcome Lloyd Kelly to St James’ Park.

But Newcastle United want a second centre-back – a right-sided one who can be Fabian Schar’s long-term successor in black and white.

Paul Mitchell has held talks with Jean-Clair Todibo’s representatives, but that deal is not going ahead. Instead, Newcastle’s top target appears to be Malick Thiaw.

The 22-year-old could be on the move this summer, with Milan wanting Newcastle to pay £35million for Thiaw. However, that is £10million more than the Magpies believe he is worth.

Malick Thiaw’s agent speaks out

There was hope that Newcastle had moved closer to signing Thiaw on Monday, with AC Milan closing in on a deal to sign Strahinja Pavlovic – a centre-back who would be the German defender’s replacement.

However, Thiaw’s agent has spoke out about the situation and stated that a move to St James’ Park is not close despite reports.

His agent Gordon Stipic said: “The current reporting about my client Malick Thiaw in connection with a possible transfer to Newcastle United is false and incorrect. Therefore, I will not comment on any further rumours.”

Eddie Howe addresses Newcastle’s interest in Thiaw

While Thiaw’s agent is not going to to comment any further, Eddie Howe has now given his thoughts on the Germany international.

Howe is currently in Japan for pre-season, and was asked about for an update on Newcastle’s pursuit of Thiaw by the Athletic.

“There’s no updates on that,” he said.

“I’m always reluctant to comment on these things, but he’s a player I know about, of course I do, from our games in the Champions League against Milan and and yeah, he’s a very good player, but that’s it.”

Thiaw shut out Newcastle

Newcastle did come up against Thiaw last season, with the Magpies taking on AC Milan in the Champions League.

They met twice in the group stage, but Thiaw only played in one of those games. That was the clash at the San Siro, with Thiaw shutting out the Magpies on their return to European football’s grandest stage.

He was impressive in that game, but was unable to feature in the return fixture at St James’ Park due to injury.

Now the hope is that Thiaw will become a regular on Tyneside, and Howe has certainly been complimentary towards the Toon target.

Hopefully it is not long before Howe can say more about Thiaw, as that would imply that the former Schalke man has become a Newcastle United player.

Thiaw is the Magpies’ top defensive target, and the club desperately needs to make a breakthrough in the transfer market. It has been a frustrating summer so far, and Thiaw currently feels like Newcastle’s best bet to change the mood around incomings.