Newcastle close in on £70m double deal for new striker and Malick Thiaw

Newcastle United could now complete the £35m signing of a “remarkable” striker, coming after a breakthrough around a similar price for AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw.

Magpies agree £35m deal for Malick Thiaw

Eddie Howe shared the latest on Alexander Isak’s situation at St James’ Park after the 2-2 draw against Espanyol on Friday, not exactly guaranteeing that he will be staying put.

“I don’t know how long that will be for. It’s clear I can’t involve him with the team at the moment. He is training later than the rest of the squad. There have been discussions since the tour. I don’t think disciplinary action has happened.

“He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle. From our perspective, we would love to have him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen. He doesn’t have a fitness issue. I’m aware of a feeling within the squad that there’s something there not to the benefit of the group.”

It goes without saying that at least one top-quality striker will be needed for Newcastle if Isak does leave, if not two – the likes of Michail Antonio have been mentioned as a possible replacement for Callum Wilson.

Newcastle also need to strengthen in defence however, and a move for Milan starlet Thiaw is gathering pace. Indeed, Keith Downie revealed on Saturday afternoon that ‘Newcastle now have an agreement in principle with AC Milan’ for around £35m, and the German defender will sign a four-year contract on Tyneside.

Newcastle could also sign £35m striker this weekend

According to Downie, Thiaw may not be the only signing on the horizon, as Yoane Wissa’s representatives are travelling to the UK this weekend, looking to seal a move away from Brentford, also for around £35m.

The Bees striker is desperate to join a club in the Champions League despite interest from Saudi teams, and PIF are ‘ready to finalise a deal’ in the coming hours and days.

It is reaching the stage where Newcastle may have to bite the bullet and accept a huge offer from Liverpool for Isak, rather than keeping an unhappy player, and it looks as though the likely British transfer record windfall from that deal will fund multiple moves in several positions.

In Wissa, Newcastle would be signing an experienced and proven Premier League player – one who scored 19 league goals last season, also being lauded by Thomas Frank back in 2023.

“Wissa, we knew, has always been a goalscorer. He scored seven goals in the first season and seven in the second in the Premier League, for a player that didn’t play much. It’s remarkable. I definitely think he is best as a 9. He’s got that nose for goals.”

Keeping a happy Isak is clearly still the ideal result for Newcastle, but there are plenty worse outcomes than picking up Wissa, Thiaw and a new midfielder with the funds generated from his exit.