Newcastle United’s summer has gotten off to a promising start with the Magpies having already brought in free agent Lloyd Kelly.
It now seems Eddie Howe‘s side are looking to make a real significant addition to their side this summer but face a tough task of prising him away from his current side.
Newcastle‘s 2023/24 campaign saw the club’s squad depth really tested after being hit by countless injuries which really hindered their season.
But the signs are there that Newcastle are going to be able to compete at the top end of the table over the coming years having still managed a seventh-placed finish despite their injury struggles.
St James’ Park has seen some big names arrive over recent years with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak being added to the squad.
Another exciting addition is now believed to be on the Toon’s wishlist for the summer but it is going to take a considerable offer to secure his signature.
Newcastle need ‘important’ proposal to sign target this summer
It is difficult to name a position which Newcastle did not suffer injuries last season with Howe’s squad seriously depleted for large periods of the campaign.
However, defence was a real area of concern for Howe with the likes of Sven Botman suffering a significant injury which required surgery.
This specific injury is expected to see Botman miss the opening months of the new campaign leaving Howe short of real quality options having also missed out on Tosin Adarabioyo.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have added AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw to their shortlist this summer.
However, he is not a player who the Serie A giants would be willing to let go easily this summer with an ‘important’ offer needed for the German.
As a result, Newcastle are said to have a number of options on their radar this summer.
But a decision is not going to be made until later on in the window with Newcastle set to decide on their best options in the coming weeks.
Malick Thiaw would be major addition to Newcastle
The Toon have gone into the summer with only Fabian Schar and Lloyd Kelly fit out of their current crop of centre-back options.
Of course, Newcastle have versatile players like Dan Burn who would be capable of playing at centre-back, however, fans will surely want to see quality additions added to bolster their squad depth.
Thiaw is certainly a player who could offer Howe with an interesting option at the back having proven himself to be a ball-playing centre-back.
Still just 22-years-old, Thiaw would provide the Toon with a potential option for years to come with Schar set to turn 33 before the end of the year.
Options are going to be needed and with the pre-season now on the horizon, sooner rather than later would provide fans with more confidence going into the new campaign.