Southampton's Matt Targett linked to Newcastle United - what would he add?
Newcastle United are looking to do business on deadline day, but time is against them. Sky Sports report that they have made a loan enquiry for Southampton left-back Matt Targett. The Chronicle understand that the defender is available for loan, but they have asked for a substantial loan fee. Saints would also want guaranteed playing time for their player, which the Magpies might not be able to provide.
Rafa Benitez wants to bring in a left-back to add cover to the squad. Paul Dummett is expected to be out until November and they have had to play Chancel Mbemba there during the last two matches. It isn’t his natural position and another option there would be a huge help for Newcastle. Targett has Premier League experience and he is a young player that would improve at St James’ Park. However, he isn’t a player that will excite supporters.
What would he add?
The 21-year-old has been at Southampton since the age of eight and he has been brought through the club’s famous youth academy. He is a more defensive-minded full-back and would be a like-for-like replacement for Paul Dummett. Last season, he played only five times in the Premier League as he struggled with injuries.
He has a handful of Premier League appearances to his name, but he would arguably be a downgrade on Dummett. The Welsh international is much maligned by the Newcastle supporters, but he has a lot more experience than Targett and it is understandable that a move for the Southampton left-back would be underwhelming. At this stage, the Magpies are running out of time and there aren’t many quality players left on the market.
Benitez obviously feels that Targett would be a good addition, or at least offer an improvement on the other left-back options at the club. His lack of attacking quality is a worry, but it would be another body through the door and that has to be seen as a positive at this point in the window.
How likely is a deal?
This one could go either way as Newcastle need reinforcements, but they might not be able to reach an agreement with Southampton. Benitez won’t want to offer promises on game-time that he knows he won’t keep and the substantial loan fee might cause a problem for the board. The Saints would be open to loaning out the 21-year-old, but it would have to be on their terms.
