West Ham United is showing a strong interest in AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw, as reported by Italian sources. Thiaw’s profile has been on the rise at Milan, particularly since February last season, leading to increased attention from other clubs. West Ham’s interest in Thiaw appears more substantial than recent rumors linking him to Real Madrid.
The current valuation for Thiaw is quite wide-ranging, with estimates ranging from €30 million to €50 million, which translates to approximately £26 million to £43 million. At either end of this range, Milan would make a significant profit on a player they acquired for €8.6 million in August 2022.
A potential move to West Ham would offer the German international his first opportunity to play in the Premier League. Thiaw had 61 appearances for Schalke before making his move to Serie A with Milan, who were reigning champions at the time but finished fourth in his debut season.
During the summer, West Ham bolstered their defense by signing Konstantinos Mavropanos from Stuttgart, following previous additions like Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer last year. There are also indications that Kurt Zouma is set for a new contract at West Ham, but with Angelo Ogbonna now 35 years old, there could be a vacancy for another center-back in David Moyes’ squad when Ogbonna’s contract expires next year.
Additionally, West Ham is reportedly considering Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough United as a potential option. The club seems to be evaluating various options before making a decision for 2024. If they opt for Thiaw, they would acquire a player with Champions League experience and a couple of international caps. The club will need to weigh the costs of a deal for the 22-year-old against other potential alternatives.
