Newcastle United open to offloading £100,000-a-week star - two clubs interested

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Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett is reportedly attracting interest from two European clubs.

The 29-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at St James’ Park having made just one first-team appearance in 14 months, which came as a late substitute in the 3-0 win over former club Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Targett underwent hamstring surgery injury in November 2023 before sustaining an Achilles injury shortly after returning. That ruled him out for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.

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A smiling Matt Targett of Newcastle United applauds the fans following 3-0 win over Aston Villa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)A smiling Matt Targett of Newcastle United applauds the fans following 3-0 win over Aston Villa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
A smiling Matt Targett of Newcastle United applauds the fans following 3-0 win over Aston Villa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images

He looked to be on the road to recovery when he played 45 minutes for the under-21s in their 1-1 draw with Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland at Whitley Park in August. But a bad episode of eczema set Targett back further.

Lewis Hall has since established himself as Newcastle’s first-choice left-back, while Eddie Howe has summer signing Lloyd Kelly as back-up. As per talkSPORT, the former Southampton man is attracting loan interest from Eintracht Frankfurt and Anderlecht, though any deal would likely see the Magpies contribute significantly to his rumoured £100,000-a-week wages.

Targett has started just seven Premier League matches since joining permanently from Villa for £15million in the summer of 2022. In the previous four months when he was on loan, the full-back started 16 games.

With Howe planning to rest a number of his first-team stars for Sunday’s FA Cup third round clash at home to League Two side Bromley, Targett could make a rare. Howe has previously spoken highly about Targett’s ability.

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“It’s been tough for Matt,” said Howe. “Previous to those spells out he’d be a really reliable performer for us. He was someone who came in during a relegation battle and really solidified that left-back position, he was someone who consistently played to a really high level - very consistent and a really good professional so this has been a really difficult time for him without a shadow of a doubt.

“The time he’s spent injured is hugely frustrating for him and for us because we’ve missed a very good player. Matt, technically for me, is one of the best players in the squad so we’ve really missed him and would love to get him back fit on a consistent basis.

“The last problem that he has had has been a difficult one to take on top of the other episodes he’s had so fingers crossed we can get him back now for a sustained period.”

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