Two giants beaten to £34m deal by Newcastle - Malick Thiaw latest and medical plans

Now that all our pre-season games are complete, all eyes will be on what improvements can be made in time for the opening weekend fixture against Aston Villa.

It’s been a frankly terrible pre-season both on and off the pitch for Newcastle United, and some big signings between now and the trip to Villa Park feel absolutely essential.

Yoane Wissa is still looking to be a likely signing, and we were blessed with the good news on Saturday afternoon that AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw is set to arrive, as we reported in a NUFC Blog exclusive on Friday morning.

And it’s a move which could be very well finalised within the next 48 hours, just enough time to potentially integrate him into the squad ahead of the trip to the Midlands on Saturday…

Thiaw timeline and TWO giants beaten to deal

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the plans for Malick Thiaw and Newcastle United as we look to formalise his arrival in the next 24-48 hours.

With a fee now agreed and the player coming on for just a few minutes in Milan's 1-1 draw with Leeds (in Dublin) on Saturday, Thiaw will head back to Italy this morning before travelling to the North East on Sunday night, in preparation for a medical and contract signatures on Monday.

Writing on X last night, Romano posted the four-part plan that will see the 24-year-old soon make his way to Tyneside:

"Newcastle have their new centre back… and can reveal this is the plan for Malick Thiaw.

◉ Travel to London now with Milan squad.

◉ Back to Milano on Sunday morning.

◉ Travel to North East on Sunday evening.

◉ Medical and contract signing on Monday.

Confirmed. #NUFC 

Sky Sports' Keith Downie has also added to this, revealing that Newcastle held off interest from Bayern Munich and Juventus to land Thiaw's signature, with the player eager to sign and clearly impressed by our plans for his development and long-term pursuit.

As we reported, Newcastle's second bid was in excess of £30m (overall package worth just below £34 with add-ons included).

This tempted AC Milan into a sale despite the 6ft 4" German impressing new boss Max Allegri in recent pre-season friendlies.

10% of the overall fee will go to Thiaw's former club Schalke and he'll arrive after a two-year pursuit, with Newcastle scouts watching the defender since 2023.

Could Thiaw be available in time for Villa away?

Typically, we know Eddie Howe is a man who likes to allow for plenty of time for his new signings to bed themselves in before becoming full-fledged starters.

And the gaffer likely has starting centre back options established already for the opening weekend: the ever-reliable Dan Burn and Fabian Schar should be expected to score, with Sven Botman still having his minute managed.

But after the run of poor results we’ve had this pre-season, mostly down due to a lack of attacking threat, could a fresh face in the backline inspire an upturn in defensive solidity and overall form? It wouldn't be Howe's style to throw him straight in.

Regardless of whether or not the 24-year-old starts immediately, it’s effective future-proofing, and the sooner we get to see the start of a potentially fantastic partnership with Botman, indeed the better.