---
title: "Newcastle: Alex McLeish reacts to Matt Targett update"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-alex-mcleish-reacts-to-matt-targett-update/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2022-03-11T18:40:28Z"
modified: "2022-03-11T18:40:28Z"
---

# Newcastle: Alex McLeish reacts to Matt Targett update

**Pundit and former Premier League manager Alex McLeish has been reacting to an update on Newcastle United’s permanent swoop for Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett, [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/matt-targett-newcastle-tipped-for-another-shrewd-signing-after-15m-transfer-update-pundit/) report.**

### The Lowdown: Targett impressing at St. James’ Park

Eddie Howe brought in the 26-year-old on loan late in the January transfer window. Targett has been a [regular](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-targett/leistungsdaten/spieler/250478) since then, playing every minute possible in the Premier League other than being forced to sit out in the 1-0 win over his parent club last month.

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The left-back has helped The Magpies pick up 13 points from a possible 15, with [Lee Ryder](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-matt-targett-villa-23311383?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar) reporting in the week that an agreement in principle is already in place over a permanent move north.

### The Latest: McLeish reacts

McLeish, who contributes for [BBC Radio 5 Live](https://icdb.tv/stats/1454/Alex-McLeish), was talking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/matt-targett-newcastle-tipped-for-another-shrewd-signing-after-15m-transfer-update-pundit/) regarding Targett and the news of a likely full-time transfer.

He labelled Targett as a ‘very consistent player’ and said it would be ‘another shrewd signing’ by the club.

> “A very, very consistent player. I watched him at Fulham and he’s been a regular for Villa as well.
>
> “For me, it’s another shrewd signing for a guy who now has got a hell of a lot of experience in the division.
>
> “He is looking like a really good player. You can see Newcastle have got an extremely high confidence level. When you get three points on the board, you can’t wait until the next week.
>
> “All of a sudden that confidence soars. The signings that they’ve made have been shrewd.”

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### The Verdict: No brainer

[Ryder](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-matt-targett-villa-23311383?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar) believes a fee for Targett will be in the region of £15m, with Villa already looking at back-up replacements for the Englishman.

He appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high £15.3m [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-targett/marktwertverlauf/spieler/250478) valuation, so a permanent move at this time appears to be a no brainer.

As per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle-United), Targett is the club’s third-best performer this season behind Kieran Trippier and Allan Saint-Maximin, and it is good to know that an agreement is already in place in what looks set to be a busy summer window.

***In other news: [Staveley now actively working on free transfer deal for Howe; target shares same agent as Fraser.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/?p=390312&preview=true)***