How Middlesbrough really feel about Matt Targett transfer amid Leeds, Everton talk | OneFootball

The Reds have seen transfer interest come to the fore involving their on-loan defender

Middlesbrough have hit the buffers when it comes to form in the automatic promotion race, meaning the likely route for Kim Hellberg's side when it comes to reaching the Premier League looks set to be the drama of the play-offs.

The Reds are now winless in seven Championship matches, a run which stretches back to their 4-0 victory against Queens Park Rangers on March 8th, albeit they will still be feeling massively aggrieved as to how they were denied the chance to end their misery against fellow promotion hopefuls, Ipswich Town, at Portman Road on Sunday afternoon.

In what was a second entertaining matchup of the season between the Tractor Boys and Boro, the visitors thought they'd done enough to take three crucial points back to Teesside before Jack Clarke slotted home a controversially awarded penalty in the final minute.

These are instances which can often make or break a campaign for any club harbouring aspirations of the Premier League, which would unlock a certain level of financial riches which those on Teesside haven't seen for nine years.

Although owner, Steve Gibson, is well-known for backing managers and head coaches at the Riverside in the transfer market, promotion would give the Reds the best possible chance of retaining the services of star players such as Hayden Hackney, who has been wanted by a plethora of Premier League sides over time.

The same can now also be said about experienced and versatile defender, Matt Targett, who has been a key cog in the systems of both Hellberg and his predecessor, Rob Edwards, since arriving on loan from North East rivals, Newcastle United, and the club's latest stance on his future has now emerged.

Middlesbrough set fresh stance on potential permanent Matt Targett transfer amid Leeds United, Everton threat

The 30-year-old has been a welcome addition to the Boro ranks this season, having made 39 Championship appearances whilst featuring in differing positions at various points of the season.

As well as providing experience in defence alongside that of Luke Ayling, the former Aston Villa man has also featured as a left midfielder on occasions, scoring four times and providing three assists thus far.

Given his impact at the Riverside, it was reported in January that Targett could have returned to St James' Park amid an injury crisis for Eddie Howe's side, before nothing materialised.

And, unsurprisingly, with Targett recently admitting that he expects to leave Tyneside in the summer when he is out-of-contract, a fresh report from Football Insider claims that his temporary employers are looking into the possibility of a permanent deal.

It has also been stated that the idea of Boro moving for Targett's services long-term will still occur if Middlesbrough remain a Championship side heading into 2026/27.

However, it has also been revealed that Targett is weighing up his options at present, and they could include two current Premier League sides.

Indeed, it was recently reported by TEAMtalk that Leeds United and Everton are plotting their own moves for the Eastleigh-born defender, as they both plot differing routes towards a potential campaign in Europe next season.

It has been widely reported that the aforementioned Hellberg expressed relief that Targett hadn't been recalled by the Magpies in January, which makes Middlesbrough's latest transfer stance on the experienced figure completely unsurprising.

At this stage, it mainly remains to be seen whether the club has the power to outmuscle the likes of Everton and Leeds in a transfer battle, especially if they aren't to return to the Premier League.

According to Capology, Targett is earning an ESTIMATED base salary of £60,000 with the Reds, and that is twice as much as the second-highest earner and permanent member of the squad in Ayling.

Therefore, if a permanent deal was to be struck, a potential pay cut may also need to be negotiated, as that is still a hefty wage packet by Championship standards.