West Ham and Norwich City handed big Hull City transfer blow | OneFootball

The Championship duo have been linked with the 30-year-old free agent.

Matt Targett was always going to be a man in demand after his contract with Premier League outfit Newcastle United expired.

The left-back spent last season on loan with Middlesbrough and made a significant impact as they reached the Championship play-off final, with eight goal contributions in 45 appearances.

Targett endured a difficult stint with the Magpies, only making 47 appearances over a four-and-a-half-year spell as injuries plagued his time at St James' Park.

Football League World revealed that both West Ham and Norwich City were eyeing the 30-year-old, but it seems he has decided his future lies elsewhere.

Hull City beat West Ham and Norwich City to Matt Targett deal

Given his impact at the Riverside Stadium last season, Targett was always going to be followed closely this summer, and he was not short of options.

West Ham are preparing for life in the Championship and are expected to lose several players, meaning that acquiring men with substantial experience would be important, hence the interest in Targett.

As for Norwich City, they enjoyed an encouraging end to the season under Philippe Clement and will be eyeing a play-off finish as a minimum next term, with the 30-year-old a target to help them achieve that goal.

However, it appears that newly promoted Hull City have beaten the pair, with Radio Humberside's Mike White revealing that the defender has joined the Tigers on a free transfer.

Furthermore, White states that the Englishman has signed a two-year deal with the Premier League side and will link up with the team in Slovenia.

What next for Hammers and Canaries in left-back pursuit?

Losing out on Targett would have been a blow given his experience and recent Championship pedigree, but there are several free agents still available.

Dennis Cirkin stands out as the best pick. The 24-year-old's contract with Sunderland expired at the end of June, and he has an admirable record in the second tier.

At the start of the Black Cats' promotion campaign, he played a starring role and demonstrated his immense attacking ability in Regis Le Bris' side, getting forward at almost every opportunity.

He will likely be in demand, but both West Ham and Norwich present enticing moves for similar reasons.

Beyond Cirkin, Tyrell Malacia is also an attractive option but comes with obvious risk after an injury-ravaged time that hampered his impact at Manchester United.

Both clubs have less than a month before the season starts and may want to step up their pursuit of left-backs if they want to be prepared in time for kick-off in mid-August.