Exciting Malick Thiaw update emerges as Newcastle United medical gets underway

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Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.

Progress is finally being made in the search for a centre-back, with Newcastle agreeing to sign Thiaw.

A deal is in place for the 24-year-old to become a Newcastle United player, 12 months after Toon officials first tried to bring Thiaw to St James’ Park.

It has been claimed that Thiaw has rejected big clubs in order to move to Newcastle, which will quickly endear him to the Toon Army.

Now a further development has emerged, and Newcastle United fans might not have to wait long to see the Germany international in action.

• Who is Malick Thiaw? Meet the ‘very good’ defender Eddie Howe has brought to Newcastle United

Newcastle United have a plan for Malick Thiaw as he jets in for a medical

That is according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, who has provided an update on Newcastle United’s efforts to add Thiaw to Eddie Howe’s squad.

Downie has stated that a medical is underway after the defender’s arrival on Tyneside, and the hope is that he can start training with his new teammates very soon.

The Sky Sports journalist wrote on X: “Malick Thiaw is undergoing his Newcastle United medical today, ahead of his £30m + £4.3m move from AC Milan. The defender flew into the North East last night and will finalise his move over the next 24 hours. There’s hope he will train with his new teammates tomorrow ahead of the season opener against Aston Villa on Saturday.”

Time is of the essence, but Newcastle United do not need to rush Malick Thiaw

The sooner the club get Thiaw through the door and training with the rest of the Newcastle United squad the better.

It will be quite the adaptation period, as Thiaw is only familiar with one current Toon player. That is Sandro Tonali, who he was teammates with at AC Milan.

But while Howe will want Thiaw to settle in quickly and learn the ropes, there is not a particular rush to get him first-team ready.

That is because Fabian Schar will start the new Premier League season as the Magpies’ right-sided centre-back. And if he is not available, Sven Botman has proven he can operate on the right despite being left-footed.

There is no need for Howe to quickly thrust Thiaw into his starting XI. However, that will be the eventual goal, as he arrives with the view to becoming Botman’s long-term centre-back partner at St James’ Park.