Newcastle have agreement in principle to sign Matt Targett permanently from Aston Villa – report
Newcastle United are set to sign Matt Targett on a permanent basis from Aston Villa in the summer, according to The Sunday Mirror.
The newspaper reported via their print edition today [17 April, page 70] that the Magpies have “an agreement in principle” to sign Targett, 26, for £15million.
Targett joined Newcastle on loan in January and has since made nine appearances for them in the Premier League.
Full-backs required
Steven Gerrard is going to have to make several additions to his squad in the summer because for all the money that Villa have spent since their promotion to the Premier League, they’re still no better than a mid-table club.
If Villa want to return to the days of Martin O’Neill when they were regularly qualifying for Europe and getting far in domestic cup competitions, they need to add considerable quality to Gerrard’s options.
One area he’s really light in is at full-back.
Matty Cash is the only out-and-out right-back among Gerrard’s senior options and with Lucas Digne injury, Ashley Young is the only real left-back option.
Offloading Targett for £15million would boost the coffers a bit at Villa Park but it also strengthens a rival in Newcastle.
Villa and Newcastle are both big clubs with fan bases who expect way more than what they’re currently being served up.
Targett strengthens Newcastle and while Villa have Digne, Targett would be a great second option in that area but we can see why he wouldn’t want to play second fiddle to anyone.
In other Aston Villa news, Cameron Archer says he’s becoming a new player while out on loan.