Leeds United home stadium Elland Road

Graham Smyth shares deadline day update as Leeds United officials left 'baffled'

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

03 Feb 2025, 9:10 am

Graham Smyth has ruled out any late move for Newcastle United's Matt Targett after Leeds United officials were left baffled by the rumours.

According to Newcastle World, the Whites approached the Premier League club over a deal for the full-back, a transfer link which has been heavily disputed over the last few days.

Daniel Farke has Junior Firpo and Sam Byram at his disposal at Elland Road, and with Isaac Schmidt still waiting in the wings, many have questioned the links to Targett.

Speaking via the Square Ball podcast [3 February], Smyth said: "It's a really strange one. We're not hearing from Newcastle that it's a thing and Leeds are adamant, in fact baffled that it sounds like a thing, and that it sounded like it could be imminent.

"The reason it's so weird is because you'd say it's the one position Leeds don't need someone else in."

Do Leeds United really need Matt Targett?

The short answer? Absolutely not.

Sure, Premier League experience could be key to Leeds securing promotion back to the top tier of English football this season, having missed out so cruelly last term.

But Farke has put this side in a brilliant position, especially after the most recent 7-0 win over Cardiff City, and do not look like slipping up anytime soon.

While Firpo has been injured lately, he now looks back to his best after grabbing three assists against the Bluebirds, and there is more than enough talent and experience in the squad to win the league title.

Junior Firpo, Leeds United defender [Credit: Imago]

It may have been a different story at the beginning of the campaign, with several players being linked with exits after failing to win promotion via the play-offs, but that is no longer the case.

Unless a player is set to come into the squad and hit the ground running, such as a 20-goals-per-season striker, Leeds do not desperately need to bring anyone in before the transfer window slams shut.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites have accepted a last-gasp bid for a defender to leave, which could be confirmed soon.

For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

Leeds United

Graham Smyth

Matt Targett