Middlesbrough close in deal to sign £100,000 per week defender after PL Club sanction exit

Middlesbrough are moving swiftly in the transfer market as they look to finalise a deal for Newcastle United defender Matt Targett, with Rob Edwards eyeing the experienced left-back as a key piece in his Championship promotion push.

Newcastle have granted the 29-year-old permission to leave on loan this summer after it became clear his opportunities at St James’ Park would again be limited. Targett has struggled for minutes under Eddie Howe, with just five appearances in all competitions last season, a campaign disrupted heavily by injuries. Despite those setbacks, the full-back has returned to pre-season in strong condition, even getting himself on the scoresheet in a 2-2 friendly draw against Espanyol.

The Magpies’ left side is now stacked with options. Lewis Hall has emerged as a long-term solution, while Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, and even skipper Kieran Trippier can all provide cover. That logjam has left Targett surplus to requirements, and Newcastle have accepted that a loan move suits all parties.

Reports suggest Middlesbrough are willing to take on a portion of Targett’s hefty £100,000-a-week salary in order to secure his services. While Boro’s wage structure is considerably tighter than that of a Premier League club, the hierarchy at the Riverside see the deal as an opportunity to inject proven top-flight experience into their squad without paying a permanent fee.

Targett’s CV speaks for itself. After coming through the ranks at Southampton, he went on to become a regular at Aston Villa, playing an important role in their Premier League campaigns before moving to Newcastle in 2022. In total, he has made over 160 Premier League appearances, known for his positional awareness, energy in overlapping runs, and consistent delivery from wide areas.

For Rob Edwards, who was appointed this summer to usher in a new era at Middlesbrough, the signing would represent a significant coup. Boro are keen to improve their defensive resilience while also ensuring they have attacking thrust from the flanks, and Targett’s pedigree ticks both boxes. His ability to operate in both a traditional back four or as a wing-back makes him an ideal fit for Edwards’ flexible tactical setup.

Injuries may have hampered his last campaign, but there is optimism within Boro’s recruitment team that Targett’s fitness issues are behind him. His impressive pre-season performances for Newcastle are seen as evidence that he is ready to handle the demands of a full Championship season.

Should the deal be completed, Targett would instantly become one of the most experienced defenders in the Middlesbrough squad. With the Championship season demanding both consistency and depth, his arrival could be pivotal as Boro look to challenge for promotion after narrowly missing out on the play-offs last year.

Supporters on Teesside will no doubt welcome the move as a statement of ambition. While finances in the Championship are always tight, Middlesbrough’s willingness to contribute towards a Premier League-level wage underlines their determination to equip Edwards with the tools needed for a serious promotion tilt.

All eyes now turn to the final stages of negotiation, but with Newcastle ready to sanction the loan, the path looks clear for Matt Targett to pull on a Boro shirt in the weeks ahead.