Newcastle United defender Matt Targett left the club on loan during the summer transfer window and he may not be coming back.
Targett joined Middlesbrough on loan from Newcastle United and has already appeared for his new club.
On Saturday, Targett recorded an assist for Boro in their 1-0 win over Sheffield United to make a fine start to his career on Teesside.
The 29-year-old is still under contract at Newcastle but, by the time his loan stint at the Riverside Stadium ends, that deal will be coming to a close.
Newcastle paid £15million to sign Targett on a permanent basis from Aston Villa in the summer of 2022 following a successful loan stint from January of that year.
Now, they risk losing him for free – and Boro could benefit.
Matt Targett in action for Newcastle United during a pre-season friendly against Espanyol.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Matt Targett open to permanent Middlesbrough move
The former Southampton defender, who made 47 appearances for Newcastle, has hinted that he’s open to joining their north east rivals permanently next summer.
While he didn’t absolutely confirm that was the plan, Targett revealed he was open to that potential possibility.
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With eyes on promotion to the Premier League, Targett said (via Teesside Live): “For me, it’s one year and see what happens. Hopefully I play plenty of football. Like I said to the club when I came here, I’m here to get promoted. That’s the aim, then we’ll reassess at the end of the season. For sure [that’s realistic].
“Looking back over the past few years, they’ve just been a little bit short. We have a good squad here and I think we’re capable of pushing the top teams. It’s a chance for me to show what I can do as well and hopefully me showing what I can do helps the club to where they want to be. It’s win-win.”
The Newcastle United player set to benefit from Matt Targett exit
Tino Livramento is currently Newcastle’s first-choice left-back but will almost certainly return to his more natural role in the right at some stage this season.
Indeed, Lewis Hall will surely come back into the team at some point, with Livramento likely to replace Kieran Trippier in the starting lineup when that happens.
Eddie Howe’s squad is a touch lighter at left-back than it is on the opposite side. Livramento, Trippier and Emil Krafth can all do the job on the right.
Alex Murphy playing for Newcastle United against Team K-League in pre-season.
Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images
Dan Burn is an option at left-back but looks the first-choice central defender right now.
With that in mind, young Alex Murphy could benefit from Targett leaving Newcastle.
The Irishman played there throughout pre-season and looks to be Hall’s main competition for a starting berth if and when Livramento switches sides.