Eddie Howe had been trying to sign Malick Thiaw for a while.
The Newcastle United head coach finally landed his goal in August 2025.
A low-key summer signing, the £30 million paid for Malick Thiaw was way on the low side compared to what many rival Premier League clubs have spent on defenders.
But Eddie Howe’s brilliance in the transfer market was soon rewarded with the former AC Milan putting in a string of successful performances.
The highlight was against Erling Haaland and Manchester City last weekend.
Malick Thiaw looks like a bargain for this summer’s transfer window.
Malick Thiaw speaks before the match in Marseille tonight:
“We need the trust and the [positive] emotions in this [Marseille] game.
“I’m a very confident player, but when you play against one of the best players [such as Erling Haaland]perhaps the best striker of the moment, it can give you a little extra motivation and confidence. Of course I will take that with me.”
Malick Thiaw asked if he thought there would be more improvement from him?
“Hopefully.
“I’m only 24, I have already learned and experienced a lot in my young career, but there is still a lot of room for improvement for me individually.
“I just try to learn from my teammates, from the coach and my opponent.
“I will try to do everything I can better and try to improve every day.”
Last week, Malick Thiaw spoke to Italian media [that reports specifically on AC Milan] about the move from AC Milan to Newcastle United and the reunion with Sandro Tonali:
Was it your decision to move from Milan to Newcastle?
Malick Thiaw:
“I decided to go to Newcastle.
“Yes, I’m happy.”
Was it impossible to say no to the Premier League, the Champions League?
Malick Thiaw:
“Milan is a great club, it was difficult, but I thought this was the right time to try something new.
“So I heard from Newcastle and finally said yes.”
Did Sandro Tonali, your former teammate at Milan, play a key role in convincing you to leave?
Malick Thiaw:
“No, I didn’t talk to him when I was [still] in Milan.
“When I arrived in England he explained to me that Newcastle is a great city, the club is great, not like Milan, but it is fun, the fans are incredible.”
Are the fans hotter than Milan?
Malick Thiaw:
“Difficult, AC Milan fans are incredible.”
My thoughts
Nice to have AC Milan as our feeder club…
Two brilliant signings from Eddie Howe that are definitely Newcastle United’s gain and AC Milan’s loss.
Signing the two for around £85million is an incredible undertaking and no wonder AC Milan fans are sad to lose them both.
AC Milan’s two signings also have their best years ahead of them: Sandro Tonali is 25 years old, while Malick Thiaw is 24 years old.
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