Matt Targett has told NUFC TV that friends of his family have ‘always’ told him Newcastle is a ‘football-mad’ city even before joining United in a last-gasp loan transfer from Aston Villa.
Eddie Howe made Targett one of his first signings as Toon coach in a late deadline day deal on Monday. The full-back followed earlier moves for Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes, and proceeded Dan Burn’s arrival from Brighton as the window slammed shut.
Targett, Burn and Trippier will now work under Howe to revert the Magpies’ dire defensive record. Only Norwich City have allowed more Premier League goals (45) than the St James’ Park natives have conceded (43). But the Canaries have additionally played a game more.
Norwich and Newcastle’s woeful records so far this season also ensure the pair boast the worst goal differences. Both sides will want to amend their minus-32 and minus-22 records over the coming months, with four-points separating Norwich in 17th and Burnley in 20th.
Targett shares what those close to him said about Newcastle before loan switch
Targett will also want to use his loan transfer to Newcastle to improve his stock after Aston Villa bought Lucas Digne. The £25m Frenchman replaced Targett as Steven Gerrard’s first-choice full-back at Villa Park. He had started 17 of their 19 previous league games this term.
The 26-year-old, who Villa bought from Southampton for £11m in 2019, also started all 38 of the Birmingham outfit’s top-flight fixtures last season. He offered two assists during the 2020/21 campaign, too, and has one assist plus a goal so far this term.
Targett is now looking ahead to his first experience of St James’ when Newcastle welcome Everton to Tyneside next Tuesday. The ex-England U21 international already has glowing references of what to expect from those close to him.
“My family have friends here and they’ve always said it’s a football-mad city,” Targett said. “So, to experience it and be part of it – I’m really looking forward to it.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
