Daniel Farke’s Leeds United appear to be back in the familiar surroundings of square one as the transfer window enters it’s final week at Elland Road.
A proposed move to reunite Farke with one of his former Norwich City lieutenants went up in smoke when Nottingham Forest sent Andrew Omobamidele to Strasbourg in France.
Just last week, meanwhile, Leeds appeared to have a real shot at Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia. That is, until Bayer Leverkusen suddenly threw their hat into the ring, offering the Argentine international Champions League rather than Championship football as well as a late assault on the Bundesliga title.
But, with a few days remaining in the window, Leeds United could yet bring in a highly-experienced full-back with plenty of Premier League experience.
As Leeds eye up Newcastle United’s Matt Targett, this certainly has the makings of a solid piece of business for a club who look likely to say their goodbyes to Junior Firpo come the summer.
Leeds United could sign Newcastle’s Matt Targett ‘pretty quickly’
Firpo’s contract expires in July amid interest from Real Betis, the former Barcelona man’s old, Andalusia-based employers. And while Daniel Farke has been glowing in his praise for Sam Byram, a 31-year-old right-footer is far from a long-term solution to the club’s seemingly never-ending left-back concerns.
Isaac Schmidt, the summer signing from St Gallen in Switzerland, is also more comfortable on his right foot even if he has spent most of his career over on the opposite flank.
Targett would therefore bring a natural left-footedness to the table. And while far from a wonderkid at 29, the former Southampton, Aston Villa and Fulham man is still two years Byram’s junior and should have plenty of seasons remaining at a high level.
Reports indicated that Leeds have opened talks with Targett, the £15 million man having fallen behind Dan Burn and Lewis Hall at St James’ Park.
And, speaking exclusively to Leeds United News, football correspondent Graeme Bailey thinks that things could go from zero to 60 pretty fast presuming Newcastle are happy to move on a player who has featured in just 11 minutes of Premier League football this season.
“Targett is one Leeds like and have liked for a long time,” Bailey explains. “Leeds need that left-sided cover. We don’t expect Firpo to stay at Leeds beyond the summer.
“It is one for the future, a long-term option. It wouldn’t surprise me [if Targett joins Leeds]. It’s not particularly advanced but Leeds have liked him for a while and it could be done pretty quickly if both sides push for it.”
Daniel Farke praises Sam Byram and Junior Firpo amid left-back links
A one-time England Under-21 international, Targett was part of the Fulham team which earned promotion via the play-offs in 2018.
He was voted Aston Villa’s Players Player of the Season three years later, ahead of the likes of Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins.
Leeds, meanwhile, started with Byram on the left as Daniel Farke’s team were held 0-0 by Burnley on the most forgettable of Monday night clashes at Turf Moor. Firpo started on the bench like he did five days earlier against Norwich City, the coach wary of risking a setback following a spell on the sidelines.
“He’s coming off an injury where he was away for six weeks and he desperately needs minutes, competitive minutes,” Farke said after Firpo played a key role in Dan James’ second-half clincher against The Canaries.
“I think he was good going forward [against Norwich]. He was involved in several good things. Transition moments, he could have reacted a bit quicker but overall an important 40 minutes for him to return to his best.
“The minutes will definitely help him. If Junior is back to his fitness level, he is a really, really good option.”
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