AC Milan could reportedly face an important decision on the future of Malick Thiaw amid interest from Newcastle Utd.
The 22-year-old joined us from Schalke in August 2022, and he has since gone on to make 54 appearances for the Rossoneri.
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As a key figure in the side under former boss Stefano Pioli, it remains to be seen if he can establish himself as a permanent fixture in the Milan XI under Paulo Fonseca, but there are seemingly question marks over his future.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle are keen on the German international and could be primed to step up that interest, and so time will tell if Milan are willing to sell or consider Thiaw a fundamental part of our plans moving forward.
Meanwhile, Milan are said to be pushing for the signing of Strahinja Pavlovic from RB Salzburg this summer to bolster our defensive options, but it remains to be seen if that’s with a view of replacing Thiaw, or strengthening alongside him.
Given our struggles at the back last season having gained the unwanted title of having the worst defensive record of the top 11 teams in Serie A, it’s imperative that Fonseca shores things up at the back either with his current options or with reinforcements that arrive.
Thiaw has been a consistent presence in the side over the past year or so, and at 22 years of age, he has a lot of development and improvement still to come.
That said, much will perhaps depend on whether or not Milan need to sell in order to balance our spending, and if Fonseca doesn’t feel as though the German centre-half is a good fit for his style of play and system.
On paper, it would seem as though Thiaw could partner Pavlovic at the back and give us balance in defence should the latter arrive, but if Newcastle’s interest turns into a formal proposal, we’ll see whether or not Milan are ready to approve an exit or will fend off any interested parties to keep him at the club for the upcoming campaign at least.