NEWCASTLE UNITED are ready to hold a new round of talks in an attempt to push through a deal for AC Milan centre-half Malick Thiaw.

While the Magpies have signed one central defender this summer, recruiting Lloyd Kelly as a free agent following his departure from Bournemouth, the long-term absence of both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles means they remain keen to add another centre-half to the ranks before the end of the transfer window.

Thiaw, a 22-year-old Germany international, is their preferred option, but an initial round of discussions with the hierarchy at AC Milan failed to result in a deal being agreed.

The Italian media claim Newcastle signalled a willingness to pay around €30m for Thiaw, some of which would have been dependent on performance-related clauses being met, only for Milan officials to call off talks when their valuation was not met.

Milan have been demanding around €40m for one of their main defensive assets, but while Newcastle will not go as high as that figure, there is a belief that a compromise agreement could be possible.

Thiaw joined Milan from Schalke in 2022 in a deal that was reportedly worth around €7m, but has subsequently developed into a key first-team player at the San Siro.

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The German made 30 senior appearances across all competitions for AC Milan last season, starting the first of the Italian club’s Champions League matches against Newcastle.

Ideally, AC Milan do not really want to lose him, but with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2027, there is an acceptance this could be a good time to sell. RB Salzburg’s Strahinja Pavlovic has been lined up as his potential replacement, with Milan reportedly confident of being able to beat Atletico Madrid to the Serbian’s signature.

As well as attempting to sign Thiaw, Newcastle are also keen to recruit a new wide attacker for their right-hand side this summer, casting doubt over the long-term future of Miguel Almiron, who filled that role for much of last season.