Newcastle United Big Winners: Malick Thiaw Now Worth Rp1.4 Trillion, Ready to Be the 'New Tonali'?

Newcastle United appear to be enjoying the fruits of their recruitment strategy. Malick Thiaw, the German centre-back signed from AC Milan in the summer of 2024, has now become one of the most valuable assets in the Magpies squad. His market value has soared significantly, potentially matching the sale price of Sandro Tonali that once shook up the transfer market.

Thiaw was signed for an initial fee of around £30 million plus add-ons. That figure was reasonable for a 25-year-old with experience in Serie A and the Bundesliga. However, within 12 months, his maximum value according to CIES Football Observatory calculations has skyrocketed to around €86 million, or about £77 million (roughly Rp1.4 trillion). The rise reflects his impressive performances at the heart of Newcastle's defence.

Thiaw's performances on the pitch have drawn praise. Despite his youth, he was trusted as on-field captain by coach Matthias Jaissle, while club captain Dan Burn remains sidelined through injury. That trust proves Thiaw's mental maturity and leadership, having just joined but immediately becoming a central figure in a relatively young dressing room.

In the last match, Thiaw showed his quality with 11 clearances, 90 percent passing accuracy, and only eight losses of possession from a total of 99 touches. These statistics confirm he is a modern defender who is calm in distribution yet robust in defence. His ability to read the game often makes him a saviour at the back.

"Thiaw is a player developing rapidly. He has a combination of physical strength, speed, and game vision rarely found in defenders his age. Newcastle were lucky to get him at a relatively affordable price," said an English football observer.

Newcastle's success in developing Thiaw is inseparable from the club's patient approach and willingness to give him playing time. Last season, he did make several mistakes, but this season he has looked more mature. Sandro Tonali experienced something similar, struggling in his first season before eventually being sold for £100 million to Tottenham Hotspur. This pattern shows Newcastle can turn promising players into high-value commodities.

For Newcastle, Thiaw's surging value opens up strategic options. The club does not plan to sell him in the near future, but if a big offer comes in, they could repeat the Tonali success story. Fresh funds from player sales are one source of financing to strengthen the squad in line with Financial Fair Play regulations. This makes player development an important part of the club's business model.

From an Indonesian perspective, the Newcastle phenomenon offers a picture of how Premier League clubs manage player assets intelligently. Indonesian clubs could learn that investing in young players with great potential, accompanied by proper development, can generate financial profit while improving team performance. In addition, the high sale value of players also opens opportunities for cooperation with European clubs, including in the transfer or loan of young Indonesian players there.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see whether Thiaw can maintain his consistency and become one of the best defenders in the Premier League. If he keeps developing, it is not impossible that he becomes a target for Europe's elite clubs at a much higher price. Newcastle would benefit both sporting and financially. Will Thiaw become the 'new Tonali' who boosts the club's coffers, or will he stay long and become a legend at St James' Park?