Newcastle United have now made Matt Targett their 'number-one' option at left-back, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.

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's Chris Waugh has written that Eddie Howe 'really rates him' based on what he has seen so far, but at the manager's 'behest', 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 that a permanent move was unlikely. By contrast, 97.5% of supporters polled by Waugh indicated that they wanted him to stay long-term.

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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: "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."

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 on another left-back in Lucas Digne.

The 26-year-old has 139 games' worth of Premier League experience 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 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' 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.

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