How Matt Targett feels about staying at Middlesbrough next season - Newcastle United are powerless to stop him | OneFootball

The Boro loanee has been discussing his future at the Riverside Stadium beyond the 25/26 season.

Newcastle United defender Matt Targett has revealed he's open to making his Middlesbrough loan stay a permanent one.

Boro are feeling very good about themselves after the opening four games of the 25/26 Championship season.

Four wins from four has seen them remain the only second tier side to still maintain a perfect record as the September international break arrives, with some tactical tweaks by Rob Edwards and some excellent recruitment already having a major effect on performances.

Matt Targett makes Middlesbrough transfer admission - Newcastle United can't stop him

One of the 11 new signings for Middlesbrough this summer was experienced defender Matt Targett, who swapped Tyneside for Teesside on a season-long loan deal.

Indeed, the 29-year-old has already made an impact for his new Boro side, as it was his exquisite first-time pass that set Tommy Conway racing through on goal before slipping his effort into the far corner to hand the Teessiders all three points vs Sheffield United.

It was the kind of individual quality that sent a reminder out to everyone that there's a reason why he's played over 160 times in the Premier League, and almost exclusively spent his entire career at that level.

However, a combination of injury problems and the nature of being at a club like Newcastle United at this present time, the former England youth international has seen his playing time become extremely limited over the past couple of years.

But, he may now have found his home at the Riverside, and speaking in a recent interview via The Northern Echo, the left wing-back is certainly not closing the door on signing for Boro on a permanent basis when his contract with the Magpies expires at the end of the season.

"Absolutely. It's a chance for me to show what I can do as well and hopefully me showing what I can do helps the club to where they want to be. It's win-win," Targett said.

"The desire to play was massive. It's been a couple of years without regular football. Once Boro came up, I thought it was the right opportunity, I want to be back playing and enjoying my football again.

"For me it's one year and see what happens. Hopefully I play plenty of football. Like I said to the club when I came here, I'm here to get promoted.

"That's the aim, then we'll reassess at the end of the season. I had a good phone call with Rob (Edwards). He explained his ideas, how he sees me fitting into the team.

"Once I spoke to him it made my decision easy. The lads have started unbelievable as well."

Targett's free agent signing looks to be a no-brainer for Middlesbrough

The left flank of Middlesbrough's defence has been a real problem position for many years, with the club yet to ever truly replace George Friend since his departure in the summer of 2020.

However, in Targett, they may have finally found their answer in that department.

Turning 30 later this month, the former Aston Villa, Southampton and Fulham defender has largely spent his career playing in English football's top-flight, and when fit, has always proven himself to be a good player at that level.

He does also have a Championship promotion under his belt too, having been part of Fulham's play-off final-winning side of 17/18.

With Middlesbrough short of proven options at the left wing-back spot behind Targett, with just an injury-prone Alex Bangura and Sammy Silvera - a winger by trade - for company, Targett may just prove himself to be Boro's pound for pound most important signing this season.

Therefore, should he stay fit and continue to showcase his Premier League talent levels on Teesside this season, then snapping him up on a free transfer next summer will surely be an absolute no-brainer for Middlesbrough, whatever division they find themselves in for 26/27.