'I'm happy': Malick Thiaw heads to Newcastle for his medical ahead of NUFC switch and declares himself ready for Premier League
Newcastle United are rapidly closing in on their third first-team signing of the summer as Germany international Malick Thiaw is on Tyneside for his medical ahead of his switch from AC Milan.
Malick Thiaw has been a target for Eddie Howe for at least a year now, after reports had claimed that a deal was all but done last summer before everything went quiet.
The 24-year-old almost moved to Serie A side Como earlier this summer when Milan accepted a £21 million bid for the big centreback, but Thiaw rejected the move.
Newcastle took advantage of his availability, although Milan took advantage of Newcastle's desperation and managed to get another £13 million out of the Magpies than what they accepted from Como.
Malick Thiaw is ready
Sky Sports cameras caught up with Thiaw at the airport in Milan before he headed to Newcastle, where he thanked Milan but also admitted he is ready for the Premier League.
"Yes I'm very happy but it has been a pleasure to play for AC Milan"
Then he was asked 'Are you ready for the Premier League, to which he replied, "Yes, I am. Bye".
Malick Thiaw has had a full pre-season and should be ready to go
It does feel like this deal moved swiftly. Obviously, if you remove last year from the equation and the rumours at the start of the summer.
Thiaw was keen on the move to Tyneside last year so it's no surprise that personal terms weren't to difficult to achieve.
Having had a full pre-season with AC Milan, Thiaw should be fit enough to jump right in, but we expect he'll have to make do with a place on the bench on Saturday as Eddie Howe will want to full assess him before throwing him into action.
