Given the interest in Liverpool star Joe Gomez, it is no secret that Newcastle United are seeking to sign a center-back in the 2024 summer transfer window. The Magpies qualified for the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League on the back of a resolute defense but failed to replicate the same compactness last season, leading to them finishing lower down the table.
The Magpies have one world-class central defender in Sven Botman and the Dutchman’s long-term absence due to injury has been felt. While the likes of Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles made up the numbers, neither of them came close to Botman’s quality.
Howe and Co. have already recruited Lloyd Kelly on a free but appear to be aiming for one more key addition to the position. A deal for AC Milan star Malick Thiaw was thought to be in the advanced stages but the Magpies have now been handed a brutal reality check.
According to the Shields Gazette, the player’s agent, Gordon Stipic has come out and denied that any sort of fee had been agreed for the German international. He refused to comment on the matter, leaving more questions than answers unanswered.
“The current reporting about my client Malick Thiaw in connection with a possible transfer to Newcastle United is false and incorrect. Therefore, I will not comment on any further rumors.”
With the 2024-25 season nearing, Newcastle find themselves in an unenviable position as far as their center-back options are concerned. Botman and Lascelles are both out injured, while Schar is on a break following his Euro 2024 commitments with Switzerland.
Howe has had to deploy a makeshift central defensive pairing of Emil Krafth and Dan Burn in pre-season, and the duo leaves much to be desired. While they conceded just one goal against Urawa Reds and Hull City, there were considerable holes at the back that a better team could take advantage of.
Newcastle cannot afford to get off to a slow start and fall behind in the race for a top-four finish. All the top teams in the Premier League have mobile attacking units that can seize a mile if given an inch. Thiaw or not, heading into the new campaign without a new proven central defender could prove to be catastrophic for the Tyneside club’s ambitions.
