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Newcastle United appear to be stepping up their quest to make at least one signing before the pre-season trip to Japan.

The Magpies are back from Adidas HQ in Germany, with Eddie Howe and his players preparing for their next adventure.

After heading to America for the Premier League Summer Series in 2023, Newcastle United are off to the Far East this year. The Magpies are heading to Japan this weekend, where they will take part in two friendlies against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F Marinos.

Eddie Howe wants Newcastle to make transfer breakthrough

As it stands, Newcastle have made four summer signings, one of which was Lewis Hall becoming a permanent Toon player after his loan spell. Lloyd Kelly, Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy have also joined the club.

But the Magpies are yet to really splash the cash, nor have they addressed any of their priorities. Howe wants to bring in a winger and a centre-back, while another striker is also on Newcastle’s radar.

Toon sporting director Paul Mitchell has plenty of work to do, and it has been reported that Howe is keen for reinforcements to arrive before Newcastle head to Japan.

That will be difficult given how soon the trip is, but it appears that the club are at least trying to give Howe what he wants.

Newcastle United were linked with Malick Thiaw earlier this summer, and now appear to be stepping up their interest in the German centre-back.

AC Milan could be about to open the door for Thiaw to join Newcastle, as they edge closer to signing another centre-back in Strahinja Pavlovic.

His arrival at the San Siro would help the Magpies, and a new report from the Italian media has provided an update on the Thiaw situation.

According to Calciomercato, Newcastle United have initiated contact with Thiaw’s agent about a move away from AC Milan.

The report adds that while Milan see Thiaw as a key part of their project, they will not stand in his way if he wants to leave.

However, Calciomercato state that he will not be allowed to leave on the cheap, with the Italian club valuing Thiaw at more than £34million.

Thiaw fits within Newcastle’s budget

Thiaw, who has previously been described as a ‘colossus‘ by journalist and Serie A expert James Horncastle, appears to be Newcastle’s leading defensive target.

The Magpies want to sign someone who can be Fabian Schar’s long-term replacement, which in turn means they will be Sven Botman’s long-term partner.

Thiaw appears to tick all the right boxes, and he is certainly within Newcastle’s price range.

It has been reported that Newcastle have a transfer budget of £100million, with most of that set to go towards a winger.

If Toon officials can agree a deal worth less than £40million for Thiaw then they will have plenty of cash leftover to grab the winger they crave, whilst also having solved their defensive dilemma.

Hopefully this deal continues to head in the right direction, as talk of a move to Tyneside for Thiaw intensifies.

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