Newcastle United have completed the signing of Malick Thiaw from AC Milan.
The centre-back joins the Magpies as part of a £30m deal plus £4.3m in add-ons, as the Tyneside club look to put a tough summer transfer window behind them over the coming weeks, having missed out on James Trafford to Man City, while there is still the possibility of losing Alexander Isak.
The German defender has been with Milan for the last three years and has faced some incredible opponents in both Serie A and the Champions League.
Having started a new chapter in his career, Thiaw is preparing to face Man City’s Erling Haaland throughout the 25/26 campaign, and the latest Newcastle defender has made a big statement about the Norwegian superstar.
- READ MORE: Erling Haaland could be very annoyed about Premier League announcement ahead of Wolves vs Man City
Erling Haaland is the toughest opponent Malick Thiaw has faced
While doing his media duties upon completing his move to Newcastle, Thiaw was asked a series of questions related to his life and career.
When questioned about who the toughest player he has ever played against was, the defender responded to Newcastle’s media team with: “I would say, Haaland.”
The centre-back is not the first and won’t be the last to praise the striker, with Kevin De Bruyne even stating that Haaland will become a better player than Sergio Aguero.
There was also another Man City reference in Thiaw’s interview, with the defender naming Yaya Toure as his hero growing up.
As a result, the German must be excited to travel to the Etihad Stadium this season to play where his idol became a hero, while that trip will also give him the opportunity to prove himself against Haaland.
- READ MORE: Gary Neville admits he thought ‘massive’ Man United star was certain to join Man City in 2010
Pundits think a big season is ahead for Erling Haaland
Last season was a disappointing one for Haaland as the 25-year-old struggled for form and had to deal with injuries, yet the Norway international still bagged 34 goals in all competitions.
The striker will be very keen to bounce back throughout the upcoming campaign, and Troy Deeney thinks Haaland is going under the radar a bit, as not many people are talking about the Man City star.
Guardiola expects Haaland to step up both on and off the pitch this season, having named the Norwegian as part of his leadership team.
Joe Cole has backed Haaland to win the Golden Boot in the Premier League, and the Man City star will be determined to win back his crown after losing it to Mohamed Salah last time around.
