Matt Targett drops Middlesbrough update as Derby County circle | OneFootball

The full-back is wanted by both clubs ahead of the summer transfer window

Middlesbrough are days away from seeing the summer transfer window reopen for business ahead of the 2026/27 Championship season, as Kim Hellberg hopes to plot another promotion bid at the Riverside Stadium.

The Swede was an extremely highly-rated figure before arriving on Teesside in November following the controversial exit of Rob Edwards to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and those feelings have largely remained unchanged despite Boro's failure to seal a return to the Premier League through the routes of automatic promotion and the play-offs.

A dismal run of form from March onwards saw their automatic dreams ended by a resurgent Ipswich Town, before they suffered further heartbreak at Wembley Stadium against Hull City last weekend, with Oli McBurnie's 95th-minute winner summing up what had been an emotional and exhausting play-off campaign for Hellberg and his squad, following on from the well-documented spygate debacle.

That said, a first play-off final appearance since their 2015 loss to Norwich City at Wembley Stadium represented the Reds' best finish since dropping out of the Premier League nine years ago, and there will certainly be optimism that the club could go one better if they are to nail their recruitment ahead of the new season, which gets underway in mid-August.

Boro have already published their released/retained list heading into the off-season, with Jeremy Sarmiento's move from Brighton and Hove Albion being turned permanent due to an appearance-related clause which has been triggered, although the Ecuadorian isn't the only current loanee attracting plenty of transfer discourse.

Matt Targett issues Middlesbrough FC message as Derby County pose transfer threat

That, of course, relates to experienced defender, Matt Targett, who has spent the vast majority of the campaign on loan from North East rivals, Newcastle United.

The 30-year-old was recruited in Edwards' only transfer window from the Magpies after falling down the pecking order throughout Eddie Howe's reign at St James' Park, and has been a mainstay in the centre and left side of defence under the former boss and Hellberg.

Throughout the regular Championship season, Targett, who cost Newcastle a reported £15m four years ago after an initial loan spell from Aston Villa, posted four goals and as many assists in 42 appearances, before playing every minute of the play-off campaign against another former club, Southampton, and then the Tigers in North London.

It has been well-documented that Targett has been open to turning his loan stint at the Riverside into a permanent deal with his Newcastle contract set to expire next month, although Football League World exclusively revealed earlier this week that divisional rivals, Derby County, are posing a threat on that particular front, having missed out on the play-offs in John Eustace's first full season in charge.

That said, the raw emotion of defeat in the play-off final is clearly still there from Targett, who took to Instagram to issue the words of: "Gutting way for it all to end.

"Felt like we had a special group of players that had enough to get this club back to the Premier League," he added.

"Massive thank you to the fans that’s supported us throughout the season and me personally, it means a lot."

Derby County ownership saga could influence Matt Targett transfer decision

It, of course, remains to be seen where Targett's whereabouts may be in the new season, but they could be influenced by the ownership saga currently involving the Rams.

While Steve Gibson is known for investing strongly in his hometown club, reports have emerged that Derby have held talks with Saudi Arabian boxing tycoon, Turki Alalshikh, over potential investment.

With it being ESTIMATED that Targett was earning a £60,000 per week wage in the Championship, the East Midlands side could feel that a strong sum of potential investment could help their cause, albeit Boro are also braced for further intense interest in Hayden Hackney following their Wembley heartache, with a potential eight-figure sum likely to help Hellberg reinvest right throughout his squad.