Newcastle United tipped to offload Matt Targett and sign 19-year-old after transfer update – pundit
Newcastle United could turn down the chance to sign Matt Targett and instead bring Aaron Hickey to the club.
That’s according to former Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Magpies’ summer plans.
On 30 March, Fabrizio Romano reported Newcastle are interested in signing Bologna left-back Hickey, 19, this summer.
This came on the same day The Athletic reported the Magpies’ chief scout Steve Nickson has been scouting alternatives to loanee left-back Matt Targett, 26.
Kenny has suggested Newcastle need “hungry” players like Hickey.
“It’s the right kind of move from Newcastle,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“They have a few older, experienced players in there but they need young, hungry ones as well.
“Someone like Hickey, the most minutes in the top five leagues for a teenager, it’s absolutely frightening.
“I remember him going over there. There were a few Scottish lads who came over to Italy.
“He’s established himself as a first-choice player in a very good league so it’s no surprise there is interest in him.
“Newcastle don’t really have a left-back at the moment. Targett is there and we don’t know if he’s going to stay.
“I keep saying that going to Newcastle is a brilliant prospect and if they are looking for a new, young left-back then this kid is a good choice.
“He obviously has age on his side so maybe they will sign him instead of Targett.”
Hickey has made 27 appearances in Serie A this season.
Targett has made seven appearances for Newcastle since joining from Aston Villa in January.
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