Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez isn’t happy with the club’s inability to land any player on transfer deadline day.
The Spaniard could only bring in 5 new first team players over the summer, but was close to a 6th in the mould of a loan move for Southampton left-back Matt Targett.
The Toons were keen on bringing the 21-year-old to Saint James’ Park before the summer window closed, but reportedly couldn’t agree a duration nor a fee.
As per Keith Downie of Sky Sports: “Understand Matt Targett wanted a 6 month loan but Newcastle wanted him for the season. That’s where the talks broke down.”
Portrait of an Icon author and football writer Daniel Storey, on the other hand claims Newcastle’s refusal to agree to a fee might have seen the move for the England youth international break down.
In his exact words: “Matt Targett’s loan to Newcastle off because Newcastle won’t pay a loan fee. Penny for Benitez’s thoughts…”
The Toons started the new season with centre-backs Chancel Mbemba and Ciaran Clark deployed at left-back, following Paul Dummett’s unavailability until November through injury.
Independiente left-back Nicolas Tagliafico was linked with a move, but Targett emerged as Benitez’s choice in the end.
Newcastle will now have to make do with Mbemba and Clark until Dummett makes his return, while out-of-favour Achraf Lazaar could still have a future after an exit fell through.
