Leeds make late approach to sign Matt Targett as Newcastle exit news emerges
Leeds United have approached Newcastle United with an enquiry about left-back Matt Targett, according to Newcastle World.
The North-East news outlet reported via their website on 29 January that Newcastle are “open to offers” for the 29-year-old, who’s fallen behind Lewis Hall, Lloyd Kelly and Dan Burn in Eddie Howe’s pecking order.
It is understood that Leeds aren’t the only team to sound out Targett’s availability, two and a half years after he signed for the super-rich Magpies from Aston Villa for £15million.
Who will Leeds sign?
It’s been a rather slow and quiet winter transfer window at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s men are two points clear at the top of the Championship table so it doesn’t feel as though there’s an urgent need to add to his squad.
However, he has had plenty of injuries to deal with this season and Sunderland, Burnley and Sheffield United are all breathing down United’s necks.
Joe Gelhardt’s loan move to Hull City is the highest-profile move so far this winter at Leeds, and it’ll be a bit of a surprise if anything bigger than that happens.
Targett is a left-back with plenty of experience.
The Newcastle ace has 163 Premier League appearances to his name but he’s unfortunately had a lot of injury problems at St James’ Park and has only played four times – amounting to 185 minutes of game time – this season.
Farke has Junior Firpo, Isaac Schmidt, Max Wober, Sam Byram and Pascal Struijk who can all play at left-back so it’s hard to see why Targett would be on the Whites’ radar to begin with.
In other Leeds United, it’s a done deal as Leeds agree a fee for a new goalkeeper.
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