Derby County told Middlesbrough are 'clear favourites' to land Newcastle United transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Rams Fan Pundit shared his view on Matt Targett potentially moving to the East Midlands this summer

With just over two weeks until the summer transfer window opens - on 15th June - things are beginning to heat up at Derby County.

As per another FLW exclusive, the Rams are set to rival Middlesbrough in the race to sign Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett.

This latest update follows our earlier Derby exclusives involving Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary and Ipswich Town attacker Conor Chaplin, two players FLW understands are also on the East Midlands club’s radar.

Now, in the case of Targett, there is a belief that Boro hold the advantage in pursuit of the defender, despite the fact he could become a 'real leader' for the Rams.

Derby County told Middlesbrough are 'clear favourites' to sign Newcastle United's Matt Targett

When asked if the 30-year-old would be a good signing for the Rams, FLW’s Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, made it clear who holds the power.

"I'd be very surprised if he [Matt Targett] came to Derby," Woodward said. "I think Boro would be clear favourites to sign him. He's obviously already living up there, had a very good season for Middlesbrough as well.

"So, I think we'd struggle to get him, but saying that, if we could, I think he'd be an excellent signing for Derby," the Fan Pundit added.

Even if Targett decides to return to Middlesbrough, Derby's need to strengthen at left-back this summer is clear. Callum Elder's departure leaves Derry Murkin and Craig Forsyth as the two recognised options in that position going into pre-season.

Murkin, who arrived on deadline day in February from Dutch side FC Utrecht, has shown considerable promise since making the move to the Championship, but head coach John Eustace may want some younger competition for him than 38-year-old Forsyth.

That said, the club's search for either competition or cover at left-back appears to be genuine. Derby have also been credited with interest in Sheffield Wednesday's Max Lowe, according to The Star.

Matt Targett backed to become a 'real leader' for Derby County

Despite the odds seemingly stacked against Derby, Woodward was full of admiration for what the player himself could bring to Pride Park.

"Played the best part of 200 games in the Premier League in his career, he's at a good age for a full-back - it's still no age, thirty," Woodward continued.

"Bags of experience at a high-level, could become a real leader for Derby, would be a really good new signing for us. I would love to see this one happen but just don't think it will."

Targett began his career at Southampton before joining newly-promoted Aston Villa in 2019, where he established himself as one of the better left-backs in the top flight.

His £15m move to Newcastle followed in 2022, and while injury limited his involvement at St James' Park in subsequent seasons, he found his best form again this year at the Riverside.

FotMob data shows he averaged a rating of 7.33 throughout this past Championship campaign, ranking him among the division's top performers at left-back. Across 42 league games, Targett scored four goals and provided as many assists.

Ultimately, Targett’s arrival would give Murkin another experienced player to learn from, and the Englishman would arguably be a huge depth upgrade compared with extending Elder’s deal.