Fulham should look at Bristol City’s Joe Bryan as Matt Targett alternative

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Fulham are reportedly keen to sign Southampton’s Matt Targett.

According to a recent report in Sky Sports, Fulham lodged a £10 million move for Southampton left-back Matt Targett though it was said the Saints have no interest in selling the player.

Targett spent the past six months on loan at Fulham and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League via the Championship playoffs. It comes as little surprise to see them seek a permanent deal.

But with Southampton reportedly uninterested in selling the youngster, Fulham should turn their attentions to another promising left-back in Bristol City’s highly-rated Joe Bryan.

It was reported in the Mirror (live transfer thread, July 3^rd at 14:31) that the Robins ace has attracted plenty of attention this summer, with Premier League duo Bournemouth and Burnley among the suitors.

With only one year left on his Ashton Gate contract, Bryan would arguably be available at a cheaper price than Targett and at 24 years of age he is further down the line in terms of his development.

Bryan netted an impressive seven goals in all competitions last season, and he was without doubt one of the best left-backs outside the Premier League with manager Lee Johnson raving over his ability.

After reaching the League Cup semi-finals with Bryan netting the winner against Manchester United, Johnson told the Bristol Post how he believed his attacking fullback was already at Champions League level.

“Joe Bryan is a Champions League player, without question. He’s a top player. I can honestly say he’s done that twenty times in the last four or five games in training,” said Johnson after Bryan’s match-winning goal.

Targett was a catalyst for Ryan Sessegnon to push forward and become one of Fulham’s key men in their promotion success, therefore signing a left-back this summer is a priority for the west London club.

Bryan would be perfect in Slavisa Jokanovic’s attacking style, and he could provide Sessegnon with the ammunition to continue his stellar progress and be a real hit in the Premier League.