Everton manager David Moyes has been drawing up a shortlist of targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
Everton are expected to be in the market for full-backs, with Vitalii Mykolenko and Jake O’Brien certainly upgradable.
Arsenal’s Ben White has been linked to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and so too has his teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Would this put you off bringing Harry Wilson to Everton this summer? 😬
He's been quality this season too… 😫
Harry Wilson of Fulham applauds the fans after their sides victory during the Premier League match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur
Credit: Getty Images/Gaspafotos/MB Media
Now, there is a fresh rumour emerging mooting a former Newcastle United left-back with a move to Merseyside.
Eddie Howe was a big admirer of his.
Middlesbrough left-back Matt Targett.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Everton are exploring a deal to sign Matt Targett after his standout season in the Championship for Middlesbrough.
The 30-year-old has registered seven goal involvements from left-back, so he’d certainly be an upgrade on Mykolenko from an attacking standpoint.
Targett didn’t have the most successful time at Newcastle towards the end, as he struggled with injury, but Howe remained a huge fan.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
How confident on a scale of 1-10 are you that Moyes signs a new deal?😬
1 being he won't sign and 10 being confident he'll ink a new contract!
Everton's Head Coach, David Moyes, arrives at the stadium ahead of the Premier League match between Brentford.
Credit: Getty Images/MI News/NurPhoto
In fact, speaking in 2024, the Newcastle manager said he’s one of the ‘best players’ in the squad technically.
“It’s been tough for Matt,” Howe stated.
“Previous to those spells out he had been a really reliable performer for us. He had been someone who’d come in during a relegation battle and really solidified that left-back position. He consistently played to a really high level. Really good professional.
“This has been a really difficult time for him. The time he has spent injured has been hugely frustrating for him and for us because we’ve missed a very, very good player. Matt is technically, for me, one of the best players in the squad.
“We’ve really missed him and would love to get him back fit on a consistent basis.”
Howe clearly wouldn’t be surprised to see Targett back in the Premier League and performing at a high level, so Everton should be confident in making a move for the former England under-21 international.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox