Newcastle are back on the trail of AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, according to reports in Italy.

The Magpies were linked with the German international last summer but the club soon switched focus to trying to buy Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi instead.

However, Calciomercato.it claims that Eddie Howe’s side are back “monitoring” Thiaw’s situation as they look to strengthen their options in the middle of defence.

The Italian website says that Milan are keen to sell players in order to balance the books and Thiaw could be “among the first players to pack his bags”.

It is believed that the Rossoneri would be willing to sell him for between €25m (£21m) and €30m (£26m) when the transfer window reopens.

Newcastle will face stiff competition for the player

Thiaw’s availability has attracted the attention of several clubs. Arsenal, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are reportedly the other English teams keeping tabs on him.

The centre-back could also return to Germany with the Bundesliga’s top two, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, said to be looking to secure his services.

Thiaw is just one option under consideration

Sporting Director Paul Mitchell is thought have identified several different centre-half targets ahead of the summer. In the Premier League, the club are interested in recruiting Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah as well as Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. A fresh approach for Guehi cannot be ruled out either, considering the England international has only a year left on his contract.

Further afield, it has been claimed that Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande and Benfica’s Antonio Silva are likely to come under consideration.

Thiaw will, though, be a very attractive option. He is still only 23 years of age and his availability for such a low price would allow Newcastle to invest more in other positions.

Find out who is in Newcastle United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here