Matt Targett has revealed that he is “sure” the club will be able to “sort something out” to keep him on Tyneside beyond this season.
The 26-year-old completed a six-month loan move to St James’ Park in January and has been a revelation so far, comfortably outperforming Lucas Digne – a former Toon target who ended up replacing him at Aston Villa!
He put in another assured display in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Leicester, defending well all game and playing a key role in the goal – beating James Justin to the ball before picking out Willock with a lovely ball down the line.
The Chronicle report that we have an option to sign Targett for ‘around £15m’ at the end of the season, and it seems the player himself is eager to extend his stay.
Here’s what he told Lee Ryder after the game:
“I’m sure and hope they can sort something out for me.
“For sure it (decision time) is coming closer so at the moment I am really enjoying my time here and loving playing in front of the Geordie fans here.”
Targett then had this to say when asked if he expected to be in this position after starting the season Aston Villa’s first choice left-back:
“No. But since I have been in football I have seen so many things change so quickly.
That’s just the way it is. A new manager came in and he might fancy you, so you look elsewhere.
“This was a massive challenge. I think the club were 19th in the table.
“But it was a project and there was real belief that I could get here and make an impact and help the team.
“I think I have done that. With the group of players they have here already I think they were too good to be where they were.
“It was a no brainer to come here. Like I say I have really enjoyed my time here.”
