Milan masterpiece selling Thiaw for 40m, now to evaluate a replacement

Milan selling Malick Thiaw to Newcastle United for €40m is a masterpiece, but there are big differences between potential replacements Koni De Winter, Giovanni Leoni, Pietro Comuzzo and more.

With all due respect for the German international defender, we had assumed that the €25m agreed with Como before he turned down the move had been a fair reflection of his market value.

He was more ambitious and can now go to the Premier League, while Milan pocket a huge profit from a player who was not even a first choice.

Now they must invest that sum wisely and there are several major alternatives to take his place.

Milan candidates to take Thiaw’s place

As La Gazzetta dello Sport had revealed this morning, De Winter from Genoa is the cheapest, even if the asking price is €25m rather than €20m.

We must also take into account that Juventus are owed up to 25 per cent of that fee as part of their agreement with Genoa.

This confirms that although Inter were certainly intrigued, they never locked him down.

In comparison, Fiorentina want at least €30m for Comuzzo, who so far has not been directly contacted by Milan or director Igli Tare.

Leoni is a dream for Inter, but they are currently focused on resolving the Ademola Lookman issue with Atalanta, so cannot start to think about the €40m requested by Parma to release the 18-year-old.

Max Allegri is friends with Parma director Federico Cherubini, but he’s not going to get a discount on Leoni.

There are other options too in the Premier League that could fit the bill, but Milan must consider their tactical requirements as well as financial before making a decision.

It can’t take too long, as with Thiaw’s departure, they only have three centre-backs in the whole squad.