**Eddie Howe finally got his man in the summer when Malick Thiaw signed for Newcastle United from AC Milan.**
It brought to an end a pursuit that started a year prior when the Magpies were consistently linked with a move for the German defender.
While ultimately Newcastle ended up putting all of their eggs in the Marc Guehi basket that summer, ultimately coming away with nothing, it gave Thiaw plenty to think about.
Now a huge part of the Newcastle United first-team, the 24-year-old has played his way back into the German national side.
Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade in training with Germany
Malick Thiaw reveals that he was thinking about moving to Newcastle since the spring
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Speaking to [Sky Deutschland](https://sport.sky.de/fussball/artikel/dfb-nationalspieler-malick-thiaw-im-exklusiven-interview-bei-sky-sport/13468719/34130), Malick Thiaw spoke about why he chose to join Newcastle this summer.
> "There was already a conversation in the spring, but this summer it became much more concrete than in previous years.
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> “I then had talks with Eddie Howe, in which he explained his plans for me and where he saw me playing. After that, I decided to join Newcastle. I think it was the right decision.”
Julian Nagelsmann left the door open for Malick Thiaw to return to the Germany side when he joined Newcastle
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Thiaw went on to explain that Germany coach Julian Nagelmann spoke to him when he joined Newcastle and gave him a route back into the international set-up, which has now proven to be so.
> “He called me when I transferred to Newcastle. We had a phone conversation, and the initial expectation was that I would deliver in the games for Newcastle.
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> “I think I’ve managed that quite well lately. Since I’ve been here, we haven’t had a face-to-face meeting yet, but I’m sure that will happen in the next few days.”