Malick Thiaw has won three caps for Germany
Eddie Howe was "fearful" last summer.
Newcastle United were in the market for a centre-back and there was not exactly a long list of realistic names whom the head coach believed could make the difference.
Howe had his sights set on Malick Thiaw, but would Newcastle be able to prize the 24-year-old away from AC Milan?
And, even if they could, would another club come in and beat Newcastle to the punch once again after Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, Joao Pedro and James Trafford were among those targets who opted to move elsewhere during a draining transfer window?
