Newcastle could make transfer blunder after update: ‘Doesn’t look good for Matt Targett’ – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Newcastle United could make a “mistake” by not signing Matt Targett permanently from Aston Villa.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland international, insisted the 26-year-old has been “Mr Consistent” for Eddie Howe during his loan spell.
As reported by the i (25 May), Newcastle are considering a move for Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi as an alternative to Targett this summer.
The Magpies reportedly have a fee agreed with Villa for the left-back but are yet to push a deal through.
Hutton insisted Newcastle’s interest in Lodi does not bode well for Targett.
However, he admitted he understands why Howe is looking for a “Champions League level” left-back.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge:“It doesn’t look good for Matt Targett moving forward, if he was eyeing an opportunity to go there full term.
If you get Lodi from Atletico Madrid, you’d probably look at Targett as being a backup. That’s no disrespect to him, it’s just that Lodi’s been there, seen it, done it and played at a high level.
“It could be a mistake, only time will tell. I do feel for Matt Targett because it’s been difficult being moved on from Villa. He has done well at Newcastle and has been Mr Consistent.
“The thing for Newcastle moving forward is where do they see themselves moving forward in the future? Do they see themselves trying to break into that top four? If that’s the case, then they need to go for a standard of player that can reach that Champions League level.”
Targett played 16 times for Newcastle during his loan spell.
He left Villa temporarily after the arrival of Lucas Digne in January.
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