For all the talk around Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes’ previous £100m release clause and big decisions to make on Miguel Almiron, Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson, Newcastle have a host of forgotten men who must be moved on.
One of those is Matt Targett; who is thought to be up for sale after a nightmare year of injury setbacks for the 28-year-old defender who sealed a £15m move from Aston Villa in June 2022.
He’s not only fallen further down the pecking order following the arrivals of Lewis Hall and Lloyd Kelly, but he’s out of contract in two years and will be eager for game time now he’s nearing a return to full fitness NINE months on from his last appearance for the club.
Targett is also thought to be on big wages, which could prove problematic for buyers yet highlights exactly why we’re looking to move him on now he’s slipped out of Eddie Howe’s first-team plans.
Others who have also been made available include Martin Dubravka, Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jamal Lewis. The latter has been included in some of our pre-season fixtures, with Howe praising the former Norwich left-back for his attitude and commitment in training. However, it could make sense for all parties if he found a new home, for the sake of our wage bill and his once-promising career.
If Newcastle do complete a big-money move for Marc Guehi – who is likely to demand a club-record fee – there’ll be a need to raise funds, trim the squad and take some pressure off our ever-increasing wage bill, meaning late moves for a number of fringe men no longer in our plans could be vital to further spending over the final few weeks of the window.
They will be lucky to get 15 pence for him with his injury record and wages.
Even a loan would prove difficult, and I would imagine we would still have to pay some of his wages.
Joseph(Quote)