Newcastle United place £100k-a-week star on transfer list ahead of ‘exciting’ summer rebuild

Newcastle United will listen to offers for high-earning defender Matt Targett this summer, according to reports. 

Brought in as a stop-gap signing two years ago, the Magpies made an initial loan move permanent the following summer. Targett was essential in keeping Newcastle up during the early post-takeover days but has since seen little game time at St James’ Park.

The 28-year-old penned a four-year deal rumoured to be worth £100,000 per week in 2022 but has spent most of his time on the sidelines. Eddie Howe started the 2022-23 campaign with Targett at left-back but a dead leg after one game saw Dan Burn deputise in his place.

The Blyth-born defender never looked back as Newcastle stormed to fourth place - with Champions League football returning to Tyneside for the first time in 20 years. Targett was given a chance against Manchester United last November but suffered a season-ending injury 90 seconds in.

With highly-rated full-back Lewis Hall now proving his worth, Targett’s future at Newcastle appears in doubt. The Athletic claim Toon chiefs are open to selling the defender if a suitable offer is made.

As a former Fulham, Southampton and Aston Villa player, Targett has valuable Premier League experience. But he may need to compromise on the astronomical wages for first-team football - with the left-back among Newcastle’s highest earners.

Getting Targett - a £15million arrival less than two years ago - off the balance sheet would free up around £5.2million towards the FFP/PSR coffers. Every penny counts for Newcastle as they prepare for an exciting summer rebuild.