Football
Exclusive: Man Utd & Bayern Munich Plot Moves for Newcastle Star Malick Thiaw
Newcastle United's Malick Thiaw is a top target for Bayern Munich and Manchester United this summer. The young defender has impressed with his scoring ability and could command a hefty fee if he decides to leave. Liverpool is also interested in him. Thiaw has had a diverse career path before emerging as a key player for Newcastle.
Newcastle United v Brentford - Premier League by NurPhoto | Getty Images
Bayern Munich and Manchester United are keen on making a move for Newcastle United’s Malick Thiaw this summer, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The German international has been a revelation since moving to St James’ Park last summer.
He cost an initial £30million as he swapped AC Milan for the Magpies.
A huge part of Eddie Howe’s squad, Thiaw has emerged as one of the best scoring defenders in world football with four league goals so far this term and another in the 5-1 Champions League demolition at Qarabag earlier this week.
Thiaw penned a four-year deal at the north east club last summer and would cost a pretty penny for potential suitors.
With Newcastle currently tenth in the Premier League, there is a real possibility they will fail to qualify for next season's European competitions.
With Sven Botman also attracting interest from Liverpool, Newcastle could be forced to overhaul their central defence entirely this summer, potentially having to forge an all-new centre-back partnership if both Thiaw and Botman depart.
Thiaw Utd Top Defensive Target
After strengthening their frontline with a number of big acquisitions ahead of the new season, our sources have been told United now want to revamp at the back as they look to bridge the gap and make themselves title contenders once again.
Harry Maguire is on the verge of signing a contract extension at the club, but 24-year-old Thiaw is viewed as the future of the Red Devils’ defence among United bosses.
But German giants Munich are lingering in the background and the lure of a return to his homeland could prove a tempting offer if he decides to leave Newcastle.
Dayot Upamencano recently committed his future to the club, but with Kim Min-Jae being linked with a move away from the Allianz, Munich are understood to be considering replacements.
Thiaw took a while to get settled as a youngster and had spells at local side TV Kalkum-Wittlaer, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach before joining Schalke’s academy.
He made his professional debut for the club in 2020 and went on to make 57 league appearances, helping them regain their Bundesliga status in the 2021/22 campaign.
Thiaw joined Serie A outfit AC Milan for €5million in 2022 and made his international debut whilst at the club.
Shane is an experienced sports journalist with over a decade on the front line, covering everything from football to horse racing. A familiar face in the snooker pressroom, his work regularly appears in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star, alongside SportsBoom.
While snooker is where many readers know him best, cricket is his true sporting passion, though he tends to keep that side of him separate from his professional beat.
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