Reporter explains how Saint-Maximin influenced Newcastle’s decision to sign Targett

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Newcastle United’s left flank will have a familiar look to it next season following the signing of Matt Targett.

The 26-year-old’s loan deal became permanent last week, with the Magpies paying Aston Villa £15million in total.

It’s a signing that has delighted supporters, and one that makes a lot of sense.

Targett was excellent throughout his loan spell at St James’ Park, rarely putting a foot wrong after his deadline day arrival in January.

Newcastle have got a great player for a decent fee. His return should also end the club’s interest in Brazilian defender Renan Lodi, who is a lot more attacking than Targett.

But while Lodi is a better player, a deal for Targett was better for the club, which brings us to Allan Saint-Maximin.

Saint-Maximin staying accelerated Targett signing permanently

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has spoke about Saint-Maximin’s future on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne, and how it played a part in Targett returning.

“As things stand, it very much looks like he’s [Saint-Maximin] going to stay,” Waugh said.

“That’s part of the reason why Matt Targett was brought back as well.

“If you have someone like Matt Targett who is defensively solid, may not offer as much going forward, but is very defensively solid, he can over for Allan Saint-Maximin defensively and that very much seems to be how they’ll be going forward.”

Good decision by Newcastle

When our summer targets first emerged, it was easy to get carried away with links to the likes of Lodi. He’s a Brazil international, and could have added to the Samba revolution at St James’ Park.

The 24-year-old could have been excellent for Newcastle, and it wouldn’t have taken him long to settle in given his history with Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier.

But he is very attacking. While that might have been exciting for fans, it could have made us far too cavalier.

With Lodi overlapping Saint-Maximin down the left, we could have left ourselves far too open down that side.

Instead we’re sticking with Targett, who is much more conservative in his approach. It’s not that he can’t attack – he just isn’t overly adventurous.

That suits Saint-Maximin perfectly, as the Frenchman is hardly known for his defensive awareness. Having a player like Targett behind him gives him much more freedom on the left.

Our newest signing is a great defender, solid in possession, and suits Eddie Howe’s system perfectly. He’s exactly the type of fullback you’d want playing behind a maverick like Saint-Maximin.