Leonardo Balerdi of Olympique de Marseille reacts after being defeated by Real Madrid (Image: 2025 Eurasia Sport Images)

When Newcastle United take on Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Tuesday evening, the French side will have one player in their ranks who could have been lining up for the Magpies in different circumstances.

As the Magpies scoured the summer transfer market for a new centre-half, their search ultimately saw them land on AC Milan's Malick Thiaw.

Thiaw made the move to Tyneside for £34.6million and has quickly established himself as a fan favourite at St James' Park after making a seamless transition to life in the Premier League.

But the German international defender was not the only centre-half linked with a move to Newcastle in the summer.

In fact, Marseille

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