Real Madrid will reportedly have to fork out €20 million to sign 22-year-old German centre-back Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Malick Thiaw is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Merengues are scouring the market for a centre-back amid brewing issues in the backline. And they can secure the services of the German defender by shelling out just €20 million.
Malick Thiaw is a native of Dusseldorf and spent his formative years with five clubs. He began his youth career with TV Kalkum-Wittlaer before embarking on stints with Fortuna Dusseldorf, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Monchengladbach. But the 22-year-old graduated from the FC Schalke Academy.
The youngster made his first-team debut for Schalke as an 18-year-old in March 2020. But Thiaw’s stint with the German club ended last year after Die Knappen suffered relegation from the Bundelisga in the 2021/22 season. And he joined AC Milan in a cut-price deal in August 2022.
Since then, Thiaw has been in and out of the starting lineup at AC Milan, struggling to cement his position as an undisputed first-choice centre-back. But the young centre-back has made enough impression to capture the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Real Madrid.
The Merengues have endured an injury crisis in the defensive unit in the first few months of the 2023/24 season. Eder Militao and David Alaba are on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Nacho missed this past weekend’s La Liga fixture due to a suspension, leaving Antonio Rudiger as the only available centre-back.
Meanwhile, Alaba and Rudiger are on the wrong side of 30, thus necessitating the need for a new centre-back. So, Malick Thiaw has emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid, with the 22-year-old having his best years ahead of him. And the Spanish giants now know how much they need to pay to land the youngster. AC Milan will demand €20 million to part ways with him.
Thiaw’s price tag makes him an affordable target for Real Madrid. But the Merengues also have other centre-backs on their radar, including Leny Yoro. And it will be interesting to see which central defender bolsters the Real Madrid squad next year.