Newcastle United defender Matt Targett looks set to leave the club in January.
Matt Targett has been at the club for three years, but it now looks like his time on Tyneside is up. The defender impressed in an initial loan spell which caused Eddie Howe to sign him in summer 2022.
Game time has been hard to come by for the 29-year-old – injuries have been a big catalyst for that. Geordie Boot Boys reported that Targett was free to leave Newcastle on loan in January. However, that stance has since changed with Targett now set for a permanent move away from Newcastle.
Reports earlier in January suggested that Leicester and Brentford wanted Targett.
The defender has only made two appearances in all competitions for the Magpies this season, including one in the Premier League where he was a late substitute against Aston Villa, his former club.
With Targett’s departure a possibility, a new report has claimed why Newcastle are so desperate to let him go.
Matt Targett won’t be handed new contract at Newcastle
Targett is one of Newcastle’s highest earners. The 29-year-old is on a whopping £100,000 per week – a big dent in their budget. With the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules still hampering Newcastle’s transfer plans. Targett’s departure will give them more room to manoeuvre in the future.
According to the Northern Echo, Targett will not be offered a new deal on Tyneside – Newcastle wants to cash in on him while they still can.
Targett, who Howe once referred to as ‘excellent’, will be entering the final year of his contract in the summer, so the January window is one of the last times that Newcastle can get a decent transfer fee for him.
Targett has made 44 appearances for the Magpies since signing in 2022. His performance in Newcastle’s FA Cup win against Bromley was a sign that he can still play to a high standard.
The report also states that if Targett leaves, he will not be replaced before the January deadline. Newcastle have the likes of Lloyd Kelly and Dan Burn who can play in that position should first-choice left-back Lewis Hall be unavailable.
Another Newcastle man could leave with Matt Targett
On Tyneside, the focus has been on departures rather than incomings. Miguel Almiron is set to join Atlanta United in the coming days for around £11m.
While Almiron’s deal looks all but announced, Sean Longstaff could also leave Newcastle before Sunday’s deadline.
Reports have linked Longstaff with a move to Everton. The 27-year-old’s contract is up at the end of next season. Like Targett, Newcastle could look to cash in while they can still get a respectable fee for him.
Longstaff is an academy graduate – any fee Newcastle get for him will be considered pure profit which is a huge boost for their PSR troubles.
It is shaping up to be a busy few days on Tyneside as Newcastle look to finalise several deals.
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