Liverpool Target Newcastle Centre-Back as Van Dijk Successor, Valued at Up to £70m

Liverpool and Manchester United are both monitoring Newcastle United centre-back Malick Thiaw. The two Premier League clubs have already placed defensive adjustments for 2027 on their plans, with Thiaw becoming a shared target of observation.

The 25-year-old Germany international moved from AC Milan to St James' Park in 2025 and gradually established himself as a regular starter under Matthias Jaissle. His Premier League experience, physical strength and ability to recover and cover space have led both Liverpool and Manchester United to view him as a long-term centre-back option.

Liverpool have listed Thiaw as one of the potential successors to Virgil van Dijk, while Manchester United are also closely tracking his development. According to an exclusive report from CaughtOffside, neither side has held negotiations or made direct contact at this stage, but scouts are expected to continue monitoring him throughout the season.

Liverpool's interest is understandable. Van Dijk remains important but is already 35 years old, meaning the club needs to plan ahead for the post-Van Dijk era. Ronald Araujo is currently on loan from Barcelona and could join permanently in the future, but Andoni Iraola may still want to sign another centre-back in his prime.

Manchester United have also identified defence as a key focus for next summer. The long-term futures of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt all remain uncertain.

The biggest obstacle comes from Newcastle. Reports claim that Newcastle have no intention of selling Thiaw and would demand a transfer fee of around £65m to £70m.

Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson has acknowledged the importance of player trading to the club's long-term strategy. The Guardian reported that after Newcastle raised significant funds through player departures this summer, the club is expected to continue making transfers in a strategic manner.

In terms of his attributes, Thiaw appears to be a good fit for Liverpool. Standing at 6ft 4in, he offers aerial ability and physical strength, while also possessing recovery pace that can cover the large spaces left behind Iraola's aggressive defensive line.

His Premier League experience is another advantage. If Liverpool spend £65m to £70m, they would not be signing a player who still needs to prove whether he can adapt to English football.

Pairing Thiaw with Araujo could also provide Liverpool with the foundation of a defence for the post-Van Dijk era. Both players are physically strong, capable in one-on-one defending, and young enough to remain important figures over multiple seasons.

The price is an obvious concern. £70m is a significant amount for a centre-back, especially if Liverpool also have to activate Araujo's £47m purchase option. However, replacing Van Dijk was never going to be cheap.