Newcastle close on Thiaw deal

Newcastle moves to sign Malick Thiaw for £35m while pursuing Brentford forward Yoane Wissa as Isak’s future remains uncertain.

Newcastle end centre-back hunt with £35m Malick Thiaw deal and close on Yoane Wissa

Newcastle United have agreed a £35m deal with Milan for Malick Thiaw. The 24-year-old defender travelled to the north-east for a medical on Monday, with Thiaw saying he is happy with the choice and ready for the Premier League. The 6ft 4in centre-back is valued for his versatility, able to operate at right-back and as a defensive midfielder, as well as centre-back, giving Eddie Howe extra options at the back.

The move ends Newcastle’s pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi and shifts focus to adding a striker. A deal for Brentford forward Yoane Wissa is expected to be concluded in the coming days, while the club have also asked about Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, who has a €100m release clause. Isak’s future remains unsettled and he is training away from the first team, reflecting Howe’s stance that he wants players who genuinely want to play for the club. Meanwhile West Ham are targeting midfield upgrades, with Fernandes among the players under consideration, highlighting the broader market pressures at work in this window.

Thiaw’s arrival signals a more flexible defensive plan for Newcastle, able to cover multiple roles and absorb minutes across the back line. His size and range could help balance a squad that seeks depth without sacrificing pace or cohesion. The price tag also shows Newcastle’s willingness to invest to close gaps that have long defined their summer window.

Yet the club remains engaged in a wider balancing act. The potential Wissa addition would add goal threat, but the €100m release clause for Aghehowa underscores the high-cost landscape of the market. Isak’s uncertain future injects another layer of risk, as fitness and form could influence the club’s forward strategy. In this context, Newcastle’s choices will test how well they can blend ambition with financial discipline in a crowded market.

Highlights

The summer transfer window is still shaping up, with Newcastle balancing ambition against market realities.