Matt Targett is looking the best Newcastle left-back in a long time

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When Matt Targett joined Newcastle United on loan from Aston Villa, some fans were very excited. And the left-back is shaping to be even better than anticipated thus far.

Since his introduction into the Toon starting XI, he’s been one of their most consistent players. From a defensive perspective, he’s certainly Premier League quality. Along with the arrival of the likes of Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn, he’s been part of the drastic improvement of the Magpies’ back four.

The reported price this summer if they were to bring him in on a permanent would be £15 million, per The Chronicle. For that price in today’s transfer market that would be a great bit of business. Hopefully, the negotiations will be pretty smooth sailing should Newcastle pursue Targett this summer.

Based on his current form, he’s looking like one of the best left-backs Newcastle has ever had

The Magpies have been lacking a true quality left-back for some time. The last player who impressed some fans was another loanee back in the 2019/20 season.

Jetro Willems joined on a season-long loan from Frankfurt per NUFC.co.uk. However, he was better going forward and wasn’t always the best defensively. He did form strong chemistry with Allan Saint-Maximin on the left side.

But his time was cut short when he suffered an injury against Chelsea in January 2020. That would be the last time we saw him on Tyneside. But as beloved as Willems was, Targett looks to be the better all-around left-back.

You’d have to go as far back as Jose Enrique to find a left-back who was better than Targett. The Spaniard became a cult hero for the Toon for his consistency in the Championship and in the Premier League

His talent didn’t go unnoticed and joined Liverpool in the summer of 2011. He cost the Reds a fee of £6 million (BBC Sport) and was their fifth signing in that window.

It may have taken longer than they would’ve liked but Targett has they seemed to have found their man at left-back. Targett has shown real talent at Newcastle so far. He’s played an important role in their excellent run of form which saw them go nine games unbeaten. Not signing him would be a big mistake.