Newcastle United are expected to spend big in the summer transfer window but Matt Targett may be the perfect first end-of-season signing.
The Magpies are in great form under Eddie Howe and now look to be staying in the Premier League rather than heading to the Championship.
That’s what everybody around Newcastle has wanted; simply survive this season and then really attack the transfer market with PIF’s riches this summer.
Fans will have lofty, big-name targets in mind but Newcastle may already have their first signing of the summer tied up.
The Chronicle claim that Newcastle already have a deal agreed in principle to turn Matt Targett’s loan move from Aston Villa permanent.
The deal would cost £15million, with Targett seemingly in line to become Newcastle’s first summer signing.
It may not be glitzy or flashy, it may not leave Manchester City quaking in their boots, but this is ideal for Newcastle.
Left back has been a problem position at Newcastle for a long, long time now.
Jamal Lewis hasn’t solved it and the less said about the likes of Achraf Lazaar and Antonio Barreca, the better.
In just four games for Newcastle, Targett has shown the Magpies just what they’ve been missing in that position.
Reliability, dependability, creativity. With nine key passes in four games alongside 10 clearances, five interceptions and three successful doubles, Targett has excelled for Newcastle.
Still only 26, there is plenty of untapped potential in Targett and he already knows the Premier League inside and out; that’s why he’s made such a strong impact at Newcastle so far.
Having finally found a left back they can count on, Newcastle simply couldn’t just let Targett head back to Villa and then go into the market for somebody else.
Targett is the man for Newcastle for this early stage of the PIF project. One day, he will likely be replaced, but right now he’s the answer for the Magpies.
Bigger signings may come this summer, but Targett would be the ideal start to the second window of this new era at Newcastle after shining on loan.
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