Newcastle United rejected deadline-day approaches from Leicester City and Fulham for full-back Matt Targett.
According to a report from HITC, Fulham and newly promoted Leicester City knocked on the doors of Newcastle United on transfer deadline day to sign Matt Targett. However, the Magpies have managed to retain the services of the English full-back who is highly admired by their manager Eddie Howe.
Targett joined the Tyneside club at the start of 2022 on an initial loan deal which was made permanent in the following summer. The Magpies forked out £15 million to bring the 28-year-old to the club. He has only featured in 42 matches for their first team and had spent the majority of last season on the sidelines with a hamstring and achilles injury.
But, even when he was fit, he only started one of a potential 11 Premier League outings which suggests he doesn’t have an important role at the club. With his contract running out in two years, Fulham and Leicester City made an attempt to sign him on transfer deadline day.
Matt Targett remains at Newcastle
Both Premier League clubs held talks with the English full-back but they couldn’t strike a deal with the Magpies who were not really keen on sanctioning his departure. While Newcastle were ready to sanction a temporary departure, they wanted his full wages to be paid as a part of a potential deal. More importantly, they were not overly keen on offloading one of Eddie Howe’s favourites.
The Cottagers and the Foxes were not ready to meet the demands of the Magpies and the move collapsed. A return to Craven Cottage where had spent six months of his playing time back in 2018 would have seen him play a backup role to Antonee Robinson who is considered to be one of the best full-backs in the division.
However, a move to the King Power stadium could have resulted in a much bigger role as he could have competed with Victor Kristiansen for a place in the starting XI. The Danish full-back has struggled to get going since returning from a loan spell at Bologna and Targett could have been a great addition to their squad.
