---
title: "Newcastle: Matt Targett transfer stance changes"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-transfer-news-matt-targett-transfer-stance-changes-eddie-howe/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-05-02T19:05:25Z"
modified: "2022-05-02T19:05:25Z"
---

# Newcastle: Matt Targett transfer stance changes

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) have now made Matt Targett their ‘number-one’ option at left-back, transfer insider Dean Jones has told [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88000483-newcastle-15m-star-becomes-number-one-target-at-st-james-park).**

### The lowdown

The 26-year-old is currently on loan at St James’ Park from Aston Villa until the end of the 2021/22 season.

[The Athletic](https://t.co/IZnxsW1EHe)‘s [Chris Waugh](https://twitter.com/ChrisDHWaugh/status/1517472416796184576) has written that Eddie Howe ‘really rates him’ based on what he has seen so far, but at the manager’s ‘[behest](https://theathletic.com/3263349/2022/04/21/why-newcastle-and-howe-are-not-as-certain-as-supporters-about-signing-matt-targett/)‘, head of recruitment Steve Nickson was drawing up a list of alternative left-back options.

Newcastle were keeping their options open, indicating that they weren’t entirely convinced by Targett, with Jones [saying in March](https://www.givemesport.com/87984157-newcastle-eddie-howe-signing-now-tipped-to-leave-st-james-park) that a permanent move was unlikely. By contrast, [97.5% of supporters polled by Waugh](https://theathletic.com/3263349/2022/04/21/why-newcastle-and-howe-are-not-as-certain-as-supporters-about-signing-matt-targett/) indicated that they wanted him to stay long-term.

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-6/)

### The latest

Jones has said that Newcastle’s stance has changed in recent weeks and that they will now look to secure a permanent deal for Targett in the near future. He added that the defender is expected to cost the Magpies around £15m.

The journalist told [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88000483-newcastle-15m-star-becomes-number-one-target-at-st-james-park): “I think he has, in the last few weeks, become the number one target. I think, things have changed. I think there’ll be a deal looking to be made soon to sign him. I think it’s about £15m.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”389224″\]

### The verdict

This is a wise decision from Newcastle, if indeed they go through with it. Targett is available for a reasonable fee, perhaps in part because Villa have shelled out [up to £25m](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/12514196/lucas-digne-aston-villa-complete-signing-of-everton-left-back-in-deal-worth-up-to-25m) on another left-back in Lucas Digne.

The 26-year-old has [139 games’ worth of Premier League experience](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-targett/leistungsdaten/spieler/250478) and won’t need an adjustment period at St James’ Park like a new arrival would.

Despite joining midway through the season, Targett [ranks second in the Newcastle squad](https://www.kickest.it/en/premier-league/stats/players/key-passes?teams=33) for chances created with 37, behind only Allan Saint-Maximin (46).

Therefore, it’s no wonder that Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher regards the loanee as a ‘[huge improvement](https://thisisfutbol.com/2022/03/blogs/premier-league/newcastle-united-premier-league/newcastle-united-matt-targett-praised-by-jamie-carragher-on-sky-sports-eddie-howe-premier-league/)‘ on what’s come before at Newcastle, who would be well advised to pay the £15m which is apparently needed to make Targett a permanent Magpies player.

**In other news, [Frank McAvennie reacts to this rumoured Newcastle exit](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/real-madrid-transfer-news-bruno-premier-league/)**