Aston Villa Manager Steven Gerrard has said that “the decision (for Targett to leave) is going to be Newcastle’s” after his on-loan full back Matt Targett expressed how he wanted a permanent move.
This comes after the player himself made no secret of his desire to sign on a permanent deal after Monday’s win over Arsenal, with him telling NUFC TV, “I think everyone knows what I want, but it’s up for the club” before Bruno Guimaraes hijacked the interview and urged Toon chiefs to get the deal done.
He added: “It’s a massive project, an exciting project. I’m sure everyone wants to be a part of it.”
The 26-year-old grew frustrated at his parent club after they signed the Frenchman Lucas Digne to play in his position, just months after Targett had won Villa’s player of the year.
Both managers are still yet to discuss this deal further, but for now, the former Liverpool man would “welcome him back no problem.”
He also stated that “he’s an Aston Villa player until different” and would look forward to having two top left-back for pre-season with him and Digne also being available
£15million for a Premier League proven defender who consistently puts in a 7/10 performance every game is an absolute bargain and, even if we want to upgrade in the future, he will still have a role to play at the club.
Read Gerrard’s full interview:
“I haven’t seen that interview or those comments so I don’t really want to say too much on it,” explained the Villa boss.
“He’s an Aston Villa player until different, so, if he comes back in here in pre-season and he’s available for us, great, because I’ve got two top full-backs. That’s a great position to be in as a manager.
“I think the decision is going to be Newcastle’s at the end of the day. I haven’t spoke to Eddie on it.
“I spoke to Eddie a while ago, saying how he was really happy with Matt and how he was playing but there’s been a lot of football that’s been played since.
“It seems like it’s been a positive loan for Matty, from a personal point of view. But, it you ask me, I’d welcome him back no problem because it’ll mean I’ll have two top left-backs!”
