West Ham allegedly wanted Targett, is Pellegrini changing his plans?

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West Ham United were allegedly keen on left back Matt Targett.

Aston Villa confirmed the signing of Southampton left back Matt Targett on Monday, seemingly beating other Premier League clubs to his signature.

The Telegraph report that Newcastle United and West Ham United also wanted Targett, but Villa pounced to secure a deal which could rise to £17million.

Newcastle had been linked with Targett in the past, but West Ham allegedly looking to land the 23-year-old is something of a surprise.

Last month, Football.London reported that West Ham had rejected an approach for Aaron Cresswell, as Manuel Pellegrini wanted to stick with him and Arthur Masuaku as his left backs.

Now though, it’s claimed that West Ham wanted Targett, which will leave some wondering whether Pellegrini is open to changing his plans at left back.

Neither Cresswell nor Masuaku have really nailed down the position, and if West Ham find a left back they really believe in – which Targett seemingly was – then they’d be foolish not to explore it.

Masuaku has been linked with a move away from the club, more so than Cresswell, and West Ham may well be tempted to cash in on the Frenchman, who endured a mixed season.

There’s even a chance that West Ham could bring in another left back without selling one. Masuaku impressed further forward in the 2017-18 season, and pushing him into a left wing role may allow him to express his attacking ability.

It will now be interesting to see whether Pellegrini fully changes his plans and moves for another left back after missing out on Targett, or whether he’ll revert back to focusing just on Cresswell and Masuaku.