Matt Targett, the left-back for Newcastle United, has been connected to Leeds United this month; the team is rumored to have made an offer for the defender.
Leeds has just a few days remaining in the January transfer window to make any acquisitions they believe will strengthen Daniel Farke’s team.
With Pascal Struijk expected to return to full team training this week and Junior Firpo returning from a somewhat extended layoff, defense is somewhat of an injury concern.
Leeds “enquires” about Newcastle United’s Matt Target.
This week, The Athletic reported that Leeds had made an inquiry about Matt Targett, a left-back for Newcastle United.
With Lewis Hall securing a starting position under Eddie How and only playing 12 minutes this season, the 29-year-old has been fighting for playing time.
After spending £15 million to sign the defender in the summer of 2022, Newcastle is reportedly willing to let him go. His contract is set to expire in 2026.
Leeds must avoid the Matt Targett deal; Farke would be making a grave error.
On the surface, Targett, a player with Premier League experience, may be a good addition to Leeds as Firpo’s replacement.
Although he is a left-footer with good defensive skills for this level and respectable forward ability, he has a serious issue.
Due to ongoing injury issues, Targett has only played 12 minutes this season and has only accumulated 206 minutes since the 23/24 season began.
His absence during the 23–24 season was caused by an achilles injury and a chronic hamstring issue, indicating that he won’t be the best addition Leeds could make if they’re looking for a left-back who can get ground on the left flank like Firpo has and Jayden Bogle does on the right.
Farke has repeatedly stated that the majority of available signings during the January transfer window have a catch, whether it be a high price tag, poor form, or insufficient fitness; Targett probably possesses all three.
He earns £100,000 a week, according to Capology, which is significantly more than Leeds could afford. If they can justify anything close to that, the player must be a sure thing, which Targett isn’t.
Even though it could be worthwhile for Leeds to buy a left-back this month if Firpo is unable to return to full fitness, the pressure to sign players in January has led us to make bad signings in the past (see Jean-Kevin Augustin), and we shouldn’t repeat that error.
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