Defender price tag set at £42m after Newcastle United links with AC Milan star

Newcastle United would have to fork out as much as £42million if they want to get their hands on Fikayo Tomori.

That was the headline figure in Italy's Tuttosport this morning after Newcastle's name was mentioned once again for the former Chelsea man. Tomori still has three years left on his current deal at AC Milan and is content to stay at the San Siro.

Reports in Italy suggest that the fee of £42m is the only figure that will unlock talks for any potential suitors for the 26-year-old. Tomori was overlooked by England for this summer's European Championship finals in Germany but that has not saw his valuation drop.

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There was one suggestion last week that Milan would consider a swap deal between Tomori and Sandro Tonali but even after having the question put to them, the Serie A side opted not to respond. That's because Milan would never close the door completely on Tonali, a player they sold reluctantly last summer with the midfielder regarded one of the Rossoneri's favourite sons.

A deal for Tomori would make sense for Newcastle as they look to bolster their defensive options on the right-hand side of the heart of Eddie Howe's rearguard. For many fans having Tomori and Fabian Schar battling it out for that position would be a dream scenario.

Tomori's agent Viktor Kolar has spoken out about the defender's future ahead of the current window and said in March: "He’s loyal and doesn’t want to run away from Milan, especially because the club haven’t done very well this season.

"Milan are a very good club, but Tomori has the potential to take a step forward in the future. If he is physically fit, he’ll be a defender sought after absolutely everywhere."

Milan paid Chelsea £28.7m for Tomori's services in June 2021 where he won the Serie A title with his team-mates in his debut campaign in Italy.