Liverpool and Manchester United are both monitoring Malick Thiaw, with Newcastle United defender attracting attention ahead of future transfer windows.
There have been no formal negotiations or direct talks, but the interest is real. The current view is that both clubs are watching Thiaw's performances closely as they assess long-term defensive options.
That makes sense given his rise at St James’ Park since arriving from AC Milan in August 2025. Newcastle have seen him develop into an important figure, and that kind of progression is exactly what tends to draw bigger clubs back into the picture.
Thiaw is 25 now, and the reported price tag is not small. Newcastle would reportedly want something in the £65m-£70m range, which would turn any move into a major financial decision rather than a simple squad adjustment.
Why Liverpool and Manchester United are interested
Liverpool's interest is tied to questions around their defence and Virgil van Dijk approaching the latter stages of his Anfield career. Thiaw had already been on Liverpool's radar in March, when Independent Nigeria reported that he had been identified as a possible defensive target while the club looked for ways to strengthen at the back.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are looking at a defensive situation that remains unsettled. The source links their interest to uncertainty surrounding Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt, with Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven also part of the wider picture.
For Newcastle, the key question is whether they actually want to sell. On the information available, there is no sign of that. Thiaw is under contract until 2029, which gives Newcastle strong control over the situation and means any suitor would likely need to meet a major asking price.
At this stage, the story is more about monitoring than movement. But with Liverpool and Manchester United both keeping tabs on a defender who has settled quickly in England, Thiaw looks like a name that could stay on the list for a while.
Elsewhere, Thiaw recently backed Nick Woltemade for the World Cup Golden Boot, another small reminder of how quickly his profile has risen since joining Newcastle. For more on that, see Malick Thiaw backs Nick Woltemade for World Cup Golden Boot.
