Italian club AC Milan have decided against selling Germany-born defender of Senegalese descent Malick Thiaw.
Despite interest from several top European clubs, the Milan-based club believes keeping Thiaw is the right decision.
Once seen as a likely departure during the early stages of the transfer window, Thiaw’s status within the club has dramatically shifted.
Initially placed on the transfer list between June and July with reported interest from Newcastle United, Bayer Leverkusen, and even as a potential makeweight in a deal involving Juventus and Dusan Vlahovic, the centre-back now appears to have earned a place in Milan’s plans for the upcoming season.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Thiaw’s performances during training and pre-season friendlies have impressed head coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has pushed for the defender to stay.
As a result, Milan have reportedly rejected a €30 million offer from Newcastle, signalling a firm stance on retaining the 22-year-old.
Thiaw’s revival comes after he turned down a move to Como in hopes of proving himself at Milan. Though once viewed as surplus to requirements, he is now expected to play a significant role in Allegri’s defensive setup.
