By Craig Scott

27th Apr, 2022 | 4:10pm

49ers to pull out all the stops for Leeds United to hijack Newcastle United deal for Matt Targett

Leeds United are going to have to rely on the San Francisco 49ers to help them sign Matt Targett if Jesse Marsch really wants the left-back in the summer.

Targett, 26, is an Aston Villa player but has been on loan at Newcastle United since January and it’s been expected that he’ll make that move a permanent one ahead of next season.

However, 90min reported on 26 April that Leeds are among a number of teams who are not keen to sign Targett as well as the Magpies.

The football news outlet reports that Villa and Newcastle “already have a broad agreement in place” for Targett to make a £15million move to Tyneside in the summer.

Leeds, as well as Leicester and Wolves, are said to be keen on signing Targett but it’s not going to be simple for Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta to pull off a move for a player who seemingly has his heart set on a move to Newcastle.

Fortunately, money talks in the world of football.

Yes, it sounds a bit silly to say that Leeds can go toe-to-toe with what is now the wealthiest football club on the planet but at the end of the day, they could turn around and sign a different, more prestigious left-back at the flick of a switch.

While offering more than £15million for Targett would be the obvious route as it’s a more appealing offer for Villa, a good contract must also be tabled to the ex-Southampton ace.

Andrea Radrizzani has done a lot of good in his time at Elland Road and has invested a lot of money into the squad.

But this one might go out of his hands and it’s time for the 49ers to pull out all the stops to sign the loaned-out Villa ace.

Targett is a great left-back and signing a top player in that position should be a high priority for Leeds this summer.

Junior Firpo has spent a lot of the season injured and when he has played, he’s picked up more bookings than anyone else in the squad [9] and also shown terrible form.

Stuart Dallas has played at left-back in his absence but the Northern Irishman is better off being used elsewhere, where he’s more effective.

Targett is an upgrade on both, in truth, and hijacking Newcastle’s £15million deal for the Aston Villa left-back would be a stunning piece of business by vice-chairman Paraag Marathe if he’s willing to splash the cash.

In other Leeds United news, Charlie Austin has blasted Leeds fans over what he’s heard since the draw at Crystal Palace.