Norwich and West Ham eye ex-Newcastle star - Southampton and Wolves must hijack move | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at two Championship clubs that should join Norwich and West Ham in the race for Matt Targett this summer

For the first time since 2022, Norwich City and West Ham United will face each other in league football, with it being the first time since 2004 that the two clubs play one another in the second tier, though they first must take on each other in the summer transfer window.

West Ham’s relegation to the Championship means that they will face Norwich once again in League football, and for the first time since the Championship was re-branded.

Just three years ago, the Hammers lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy, but now, they must prepare for life in the Championship for the first time since 2012, as they face a battle with Norwich for the signature of Matt Targett this summer.

As exclusively revealed by Football League World last Friday, both Norwich and West Ham are interested in signing former Newcastle United and Aston Villa left-back Targett this summer following his release from the Magpies.

Targett, 30, made 42 league appearances on loan with Middlesbrough last season and heavily impressed under Kim Hellberg, but now is on the lookout for a new employer this summer, as both Norwich and West Ham are lurking; FLW has taken a look at two other EFL clubs that should be in the race for his signature this summer.

Southampton

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Southampton is a club Targett will already be majorly familiar with, having come through the ranks at Staplewood and going on to make 63 first-team appearances in 15 years at the club, having joined their youth system at the age of eight.

Having struggled to replace long-term left-back Ryan Bertrand in the Saints starting 11 upon breaking into the first team, Targett helped Fulham to the Premier League in 2018 through the play-offs, having joined on loan in January, and then going on to become their first-choice left-back the next campaign.

However, his time as Southampton's first-choice left-back didn't last long, with Aston Villa parting ways with around £11 million to bring him to Villa Park in the summer of 2019, where he has since had spells with the Villains, as well as Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

With Ryan Manning excelling at left-back for Southampton last season, improvement in that position is not a necessity for the Saints. However, whether Wellington wants to play second fiddle again next year remains to be seen, and Targett could come in and provide incredible competition in that area.

Capable of deputising as a centre-back if required too, Targett would provide a wealth of experience and quality to the Saints ranks across the back line, and a return to where it began for him all those years ago ought to be on the cards.

On a free transfer and helping Southampton with their homegrown quota, it seems like a no-brainer for Eckert to swoop to bring him in this summer, and should be one they look to get done sooner rather than later, with interest elsewhere only set to intensify.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

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Wolverhampton Wanderers have returned to the Championship for the first time since 2018, with the Old Gold looking for an immediate route back to the Premier League with a strong summer transfer window.

Having dismissed former Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards, the person who signed Targett for Boro, Wolves have made the free additions of the experienced Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier, with a combined age of 70.

Incoming boss Cesar Peixoto has made his first addition since arriving at Molineux last month, with the Comoran joining from Belgian side Standard Liege for around £7.7 million to add another option in attack.

At left-back, both Hugo Bueno and David Moller Wolfe battled for a place in the starting 11 under Edwards last season, but both have been linked with moves elsewhere, as Fiorentina reportedly registered an interest in Bueno, whilst Roma had an offer rejected in January for Moller Wolfe.

After a strong World Cup with Norway, Moller Wolfe will likely be on the radar of a few European outfits, and should one or both of them leave, a replacement will be required, and Targett could be the perfect fit.

Adding to their free signing roster, the 30-year-old would add a wealth of experience to Wolves' ranks, and unlikely to demand a starring role, would be an excellent addition for the Black Country side.

Capable of playing in either a back three or four in numerous positions, Targett is already in high demand, and Wolves should pounce whilst they can before this bargain disappears off the market.