Matt Targett spent the season on loan at Middlesbrough from Newcastle United
10:39, 01 Jun 2026
Matt Targett with his man of the match award, with the Sky Sports cameraman looking on
Matt Targett(Image: Pro Sports Images)
Derby Country are said to be interested in signing Matt Targett this summer, with the Middlesbrough loanee set to become a free agent.
Targett spent this season on loan at Boro, becoming a mainstay under Kim Hellberg, where he would score four and assist four more goals during his time at Boro.
However, with Boro beaten by Hull City in the play-off final at Wembley last weekend, Targett’s loan at Boro has come to an end. The club thanked him for his services over the course of the season in the retained list they put out last week.
It’s understood that Boro are now exploring other options to strengthen at left-back, with Targett not expected to return to the Riverside next season. That’s despite the fact that he will be available on a free, with his Newcastle United contract set to expire this June.
But Boro are said to have other left-back targets in mind for the summer as they look for a different profile of left-back. Boro paid a small fraction of his Newcastle United wage over the last 12 months too, although the 30-year-old will be expected to have to take a pay cut wherever he ends up this summer.
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One potential new option has emerged, with Boro’s Championship rivals Derby County credited with interest. Football League World mentioned John Eustace as an admirer - though it’s worth noting the same report claimed they’d rival Boro, who we now know won’t be in the race.
Derby are said to have an opening at left-back after Callum Elder was released by the club this summer. Targett is likely to suit Eustace’s more conservative tactics, whereas Kim Hellberg is expected to look for a more attack-minded option to match Callum Brittain’s output on the other flank.
Max Arfsten has been a long-term target for the role, with Boro making unsuccessful moves for the USA international in each of the last two windows.
However, Columbus Crew have so far held firm in their desire not to sell the 25-year-old. He was said to be very keen on the switch last year, but is part of the USA’s World Cup squad this summer, potentially increasing interest and also price.
While it remains to be seen whether that will impact Boro’s Arfsten hopes, it’s understood that they have many other options in mind ahead of the summer transfer window.
With Targett departed, their current options are Alex Bangura - who has just 12 months left on his contract and could leave after an injury-hit three years on Teesside - and Finley Munroe - the 21-year-old who joined in January after a successful loan at Swindon Town, but then only making three sub appearances.
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Middlesbrough are preparing for a big summer as they look to rebuild from the heartarche of missing out on promotion to the Premier League.
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