Newcastle United won't be recalling Matt Targett
19:38, 02 Feb 2026
Middlesbrough's Matt Targett
Middlesbrough's Matt Targett(Image: PA)
Matt Targett will be remaining at Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season, with Newcastle United deciding against activating their recall clause before Monday's transfer deadline passed.
After an initial deadline was extended due to the Magpies’ injury problems, they had until the end of the window in which they could have ended the left-back’s Riverside stay early.
But with Newcastle’s injury picture improving, and after Targett made clear he wished to stay at Boro to see out the season, Newcastle made the decision to leave Targett at Boro for the remainder of the campaign.
Talks between the two clubs and Targett’s representatives last week left Boro confident that the 30-year-old would be staying. But Eddie Howe cast doubt on that on Saturday evening when he said it would be something they’d be discussing right up until the deadline.
Boro monitored the left-back market in the final week of the window just in case they were forced into finding a replacement. But thankfully it wasn’t needed, as Newcastle decided to honour the season-long agreement.
The initial recall deadline had been January 12. But the Magpies were struggling with defensive injuries at the time. Tino Livramento remains out, but Lewis Hall and Dan Burn have since returned to action, which was always felt to be a crucial factor in Targett’s future.
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Thankfully, the uncertainty has shown no signs of impacting Targett’s form either. He’s continued to play an important role in Boro’s promotion push, starting all five of Boro’s current consecutive run of league wins.
Speaking of the left-back earlier in the month, Hellberg said: “He's top.Here he's happy and I think he will stay here. I think he's an unbelievable character, such a good person with everyone, helps everyone and is always happy. He's top.”
Targett is out of contract at Newcastle at the end of the season, and will become a free agent. It's uncertain at this stage whether Boro will pursue a permanent deal at the end of the loan, with Targett currently on Premier League wages, and Boro's divisional status uncertain for next term.
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