Newcastle United need to sell before they buy this month, but Eddie Howe has named one player who is not going to be leaving the club before transfer deadline day.
The Toon boss has been speaking to the media ahead of Tuesday night’s clash with Aston Villa, and was asked about some potential incomings and outgoings at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe played down talk that Newcastle are showing an interest in Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey, while he was also asked about the chance of Matt Targett leaving the club this week.
The question came from Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, who quizzed Howe about Celtic seemingly showing an interest in the left-back.
It was unclear if Downie had been told this information about Targett or it was just a rumour he had heard, but Howe was quick to nip it in the bud.
Matt Targett is not joining Celtic this month
Ahead of Newcastle’s game against Aston Villa, Howe spoke to the media and had this to say when asked about Matt Targett potentially leaving to join Celtic.
“Incorrect, you’re way off,” he said.
“Matt’s injured and he’s still got some time to go in his injury. And he’s also a big part of what we’re doing here.”
Targett could have been the answer to Newcastle’s midfield conundrum
Talk of Targett to Celtic seems very out of the blue, and Howe has made sure to put an end to it. He wants the £15million man to stay at Newcastle, as he continues his recovery from injury.
Targett has not featured for the Magpies since the Carabao Cup win over Manchester United on on November 1st. He suffered a horrible hamstring injury in the first minute, on a night when Howe was actually trialling him as a centre-midfielder.
Had that experiment worked and Targett stayed fit, we might not be as desperate for a new midfielder right now.
But the search goes on, while the 28-year-old continues to work on his recovery. Howe insists that a return is not imminent, but believes he will have a big role to play when he is fit again.
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