Leeds United now want to poach a ‘fantastic’ player who is set to leave Newcastle this summer, according to a report.
Leeds fresh off fantastic win at Man United
Leeds arrived at Old Trafford on Monday night needing a result to put daylight between themselves and the relegation zone, and they left with something considerably more historic.
Noah Okafor scored twice in the opening half-hour to hand Daniel Farke‘s side a 2-1 victory, their first league win at the ground since 1981.
Lisandro Martínez’s red card for a hair-pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, confirmed via VAR in the 56th minute, gave the result additional controversy, and Casemiro’s header reduced the arrears, but Leeds held firm for a result that effectively ended any serious threat of relegation.
The win opened a six-point gap between Leeds and the bottom three, with Opta cutting their relegation probability to below two per cent following the final whistle.
Farke’s side have also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, giving a campaign that began with serious doubts about their ability to survive in the top flight a genuinely impressive shape.
Leeds considering formal approach to sign £25m star after dispatching officials
He would be an excellent addition.
With six games left — including fixtures against Wolves and Burnley who are already condemned — the foundations for next season are already being considered.
One area Leeds are looking to address is defence, amid rival interest in Pascal Struijk.
Leeds eyeing Matt Targett with defender set for Newcastle summer exit
Now, according to TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, the club have identified Matt Targett as a target for the summer.
Bailey reports that the 30-year-old is attracting growing interest from a number of Premier League clubs as he prepares to leave Newcastle Uwhen his contract expires at the end of the season, with Leeds and Everton both firmly in the picture.
Targett has had a remarkable campaign at Middlesbrough, where he joined on a season-long loan in August.
The ‘fantastic‘ left-back has made 36 Championship starts this term — the most in any single season of his career — and has been one of their most consistent performers as Boro push for promotion.
He has also featured at centre-back on occasion, a versatility that TEAMtalk notes has only increased his appeal, and means he could either replace or complement Struijk at the back.
His Newcastle career effectively came to a natural end after injuries to his hamstring and heel restricted him to a handful of appearances across 2023/24 and 2024/25, with Dan Burn and Lewis Hall ahead of him in the pecking order.
Earlier this month, Targett confirmed he had spoken to Howe in January and that both parties had reached a mutual understanding about his future, with the defender stating his focus at Boro was proving he could get through a full season without breaking down.
The Leeds interest makes sense on multiple levels.
Gabriel Gudmundsson has been first choice at left-back this season, but cover is needed, and with Struijk’s versatility across defence also worth protecting, a player who can operate across the back line offers genuine value.
The fact Targett would arrive on a free, with Championship pedigree and Premier League experience, makes the proposition straightforward financially.
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