Middlesbrough would ‘love’ to keep Matt Targett as transfer race heats up ahead of Newcastle exit
Middlesbrough will try to sign left-back Matt Targett permanently this summer, even if they don’t secure promotion from the Championship, sources have told Football Insider.
The Newcastle United loanee is out of contract with his parent club at the end of the season, with a whole host of clubs currently eyeing up the possibility of a move for him this summer.
Middlesbrough have already made it clear that they “would love” to sign the 30-year-old permanently upon the expiry of his deal, especially if they can get back into the Premier League.
The former Southampton man has been a key figure for Kim Hellberg’s side this season, and he is currently “weighing up” the options that are available to him heading into the final stages of his contract.
Targett has notched four goals and three assists for Boro during his loan spell this season, and it remains a possibility that he could yet be back at the Riverside Stadium next term.
Promotion to give Middlesbrough boost for Matt Targett
Middlesbrough’s hopes of securing automatic promotion back to the Premier League were dealt a major blow on Sunday, when they conceded late to draw 2-2 away at Ipswich Town.
Hellberg’s men succumbed to a late penalty to let their promotion rivals off the hook, as a potentially invaluable three points slipped through their grasp at Portman Road.
| Stats | Targett Total |
| Apps (Starts) | 39 (37) |
| G/A | 7 |
| Chances Created per 90 | 1.57 |
| Successful Dribbles per 90 | 0.17 |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.43 |
| Duels Won per 90 | 3.16 |
Nevertheless, the dream remains alive for the Teesiders, as they are still just three points adrift of second-placed Ipswich, although Kieran McKenna’s side have a game in hand on them.
Promotion at the end of the season would give Middlesbrough a major boost when it comes to their ability to keep hold of their key players, and that includes Targett after the season he has enjoyed.
The defender appears set to have a wide array of options on the table for him when it comes to choosing his next club, and the ability to offer top-flight football would be a useful string to Middlesbrough’s bow.
Boro face fresh Hayden Hackney exit fear
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that Nottingham Forest could accelerate their interest in Hayden Hackney in the coming weeks, with the Reds understood to view him as the Championship’s best midfielder.
The Boro captain has consistently been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent seasons, and this could finally be the window where he moves on from his boyhood club.
Brown suggested that it will be impossible for Middlesbrough to keep hold of Hackney if they are still a second-tier club next term, and that appears increasingly likely after they let their lead over Ipswich slip.
Forest have got money to spend this summer and are likely to be on the hunt for a replacement for Elliot Anderson, which does not bode well for Boro as far as Hackney is concerned.
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