The January transfer window is becoming more and more challenging for Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson.
It will be the first transfer window since Ross Wilson’s arrival at Newcastle United, but already the pressure is building.
Newcastle want a midfielder and a full-back in January, with the latter feeling particularly imperative in recent weeks.
How would you actually feel if Newcastle United DIDN’T sign a player in January?!
It would cause a lot of talk on social media…
That is because Newcastle United have an injury crisis in defence. The likes of Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Emil Krafth are all currently out of action, leaving Eddie Howe desperately short of options.
The injuries to Trippier and Krafth have reinforced Newcastle’s need for a new full-back in January, but Ross Wilson does have an option up his sleeve that could save the club a lot of money.
Newcastle United could bring Matt Targett back
During the summer transfer window, Geordie Boot Boys broke the news that Matt Targett was joining Middlesbrough on loan.
It was an opportunity for the £15million man to get some minutes, as he enters the final year of his Toon contract.
He will hope to earn a permanent move to Middlesbrough, and certainly feels on course to do so following his strong start to life on Teesside.
However, there have been grumblings of a return to St James’ Park amid Eddie Howe’s injury crisis.
It has been reported by the Northern Echo that Newcastle do have an option to recall Matt Targett from Middlesbrough, although they are not considering activating it at this moment in time.
Should Newcastle change their mind, Targett could be the solution to Howe’s full-back problem. He would provide cover for Lewis Hall at left-back, while allowing Ross Wilson to focus his transfer attentions elsewhere.
In that respect, it is easy to understand why Newcastle United would consider bringing Targett back.
Newcastle United should recall Matt Targett – agree or disagree?!
We're short of defensive options, but it feels like a step in the wrong direction.
Bringing Matt Targett back to Newcastle United would be a mistake
However, having Targett back in the Newcastle United squad would be a mistake and a step in the wrong direction.
The PIF project at St James’ Park has always been about the long-term, not the short. With that in mind, Targett is not a long-term solution for Eddie Howe. If he was, he would not have been allowed to leave in the summer.
Newcastle United need to be looking towards the future. They need to utilise the January transfer window to bring in someone who can contribute to the Magpies’ cause for years to come, rather than just during an injury crisis.
It is also not fair on Targett either, who is working on earning his next permanent contract. That will not be at Newcastle United, and he is not going to attract another club by sitting on the Toon bench.
Sign up to TalkingPoints for free to join the conversation about all things Newcastle United with Geordie Boot Boys!
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
