Paul Mitchell was urging Newcastle to sign a player not everyone at St James’ Park wanted

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Newcastle United are aiming to sign Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, but he is not the only centre-back that the Magpies have considered.

As it stands, Malick Thiaw is Newcastle’s top target. The 22-year-old could potentially become Paul Mitchell’s first major signing as Newcastle United sporting director, with the Magpies in contact with Thiaw’s agent.

The AC Milan defender is the leading candidate to arrive at St James’ Park, with Eddie Howe keen to add a second centre-back to his squad this summer. This comes after Lloyd Kelly joined Newcastle on a free transfer from Bournemouth.

Newcastle now want a right-sided centre-back, with Thiaw the frontrunner.

Newcastle held talks with Malick Thiaw alternative

But Newcastle have also been looking at alternatives, with sporting director Paul Mitchell holding talks about possibly signing Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.

That is according to HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey, who has spoke to Geordie Boot Boys about Newcastle’s approach for Todibo last week.

“Paul Mitchell led talks with Jean-Clair Todibo’s agent last week,” he said.

“They made an approach, but it has not progressed. The player wants to go to Juventus.

“At Newcastle’s end, not everyone at the club wants to sign Todibo. Paul Mitchell was the one pushing for him.”

Jean-Clair Todibo not heading to Newcastle United

West Ham United have also been trying to sign the 24-year-old, and it was surprising that Newcastle were not in the race to sign Todibo given their previous interest in the Frenchman and need for a centre-back.

Then there was an approach from Newcastle, led by Mitchell. But it was an approach that will not be progressing any further.

Todibo has his eyes on a move to Juventus, while some people at Newcastle were not fully convinced anyway. It would be interesting to know which was the deciding factor, as there has been a lot of debate about who will lead recruitment at St James’ Park.

When he arrived at the club, it was reported that Mitchell would have more control over Newcastle’s recruitment than Dan Ashworth did. Since then, Eddie Howe has had to be reassured that he will still have a say over who joins his squad.

Mitchell wanted Todibo to be part of the squad, but that is not going to happen. Instead, Newcastle appear to be pressing ahead with their interest in Thiaw. Hopefully he is a player who Newcastle officials unanimously agree on, unlike Todibo.