<\/p>\n
Manchester United<\/a> have earmarked Newcastle United<\/a> centre-back Malick Thiaw as a potential option to reinforce their backline next summer, according to Fichajes<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Thiaw was one of the standout defenders in the Bundesliga during his stint with Schalke, where he featured regularly before departing to join 19-time Italian champions AC Milan in the summer of 2022.<\/p>\n He featured in 85 games across all competitions for the Rossoneri and played a key role in their 3-2 Italian Super Cup win against city rivals Inter Milan last season, where he started and finished the game.<\/p>\n Last summer, Newcastle secured a swoop for Thiaw, and he has been rock solid at the back for Eddie Howe\u2019s side, featuring in 40 games across all competitions while providing six goal contributions as a centre-back.<\/p>\n Having only arrived six months ago, a departure could soon be on the cards as Fichajes<\/em> claims that Man Utd have earmarked Thiaw as a possible option to bolster their backline next summer.<\/p>\n The report adds that United\u2019s hierarchy, headed by INEOS, is looking to rebuild their backline with a young, physical, and ball-playing centre-back, and the five-cap Germany international is viewed as a \u2018priority target\u2019 for that role.<\/p>\n Should the Red Devils secure Champions League<\/a> qualification, the club would be handed a huge cash injection with an estimated \u00a3200m budget to sign quality players, with Thiaw now among their list of targets, according to the report.<\/p>\n However, having signed the 6ft 4in centre-back for \u00a335m last summer, Fichajes<\/em> reports that Newcastle will only consider his sale if a significant offer is submitted for the 24-year-old, who is also of keen interest to Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n While United have Leny Yoro, Mathijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and the highly rated Ayden Heaven as centre-back options on United\u2019s books, England international centre-back Harry Maguire<\/a> is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford, with his deal set to expire at the end of the season.<\/p>\n As such, Thiaw would be a viable replacement for the 32-year-old, so United will be optimistic to secure Champions League football to make the deal happen.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Rememore](\"https:\/\/football-talk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FootballTalk_New_Chapter-rememore.png\")
<\/a><\/div>\nHarry Maguire replacement?<\/h2>\n
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