OPINION
Newcastle United could play a blinder this summer as they are reportedly in talks with Southampton to sign left-back Matt Targett.
According to TeamTalk, the Magpies are one of a number of teams interested in signing the 23-year-old before the start of next season.
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Leicester and Fulham are understood to be eyeing up the coveted defender, who could be on the move away from St Mary’s this summer in a bid to earn more first-team football and improve his chances of getting into the England squad.
Targett only played 16 times in the Premier League for Southampton last season as he battled with Ryan Bertrand for a spot in their starting line-up, but with Newcastle currently lacking a quality left-back, they could find themselves in pole position to snap up the former England Under-21 international.
Although he did not play much for the Saints last term, WhoScored describes Targett as someone who is “very strong” at crossing the ball and playing key passes into the attack.
While he is not the best in the air – not many full-backs are – stats show that Targett completed 1.4 crosses and 1.4 key passes per match in the league last season, which is decent for a fringe player at a club that was worried about relegation most of the campaign.
Newcastle are really devoid of players in the left-back position.
Paul Dummett is the only natural in that role if loan flop Antonio Barecca and outcast Achraf Lazaar are discounted and for most of the second-half of last term, Matt Ritchie played in the left wing-back role.
Although Ritchie did fine in that position, he is so weak defensively because he is used to playing in attacking areas.
Targett is a natural at left-back and should be a major improvement on what Newcastle already have.
Once the futures of both Rafa Benitez and Mike Ashley are resolved, Targett should be someone that the Magpies are gunning to snap up this summer.
It may be tough due to the amount of clubs interested in him, but if he is desperate to play regular first team football in order to play for England, swapping the south coast for the North-East might be his best bet.
