Aston Villa have asked Southampton about signing left-back Matt Targett on loan until January, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claimed on their live transfer blog on Tuesday [03:29pm] that Targett, 22, was the subject of a £15million bid by Premier League newcomers Fulham earlier in the summer, but the Saints rejected it even though the left-back is down the pecking order at St Mary’s.
It is understood that the £35,000-a-week (Spotrac) ace wants first team football but is yet to make an appearance for Southampton this season, and Villa are the team that are trying to offer him what he desires after missing out on Joe Bryan to Fulham.
Good move for Aston Villa?
Steve Bruce could not make a better signing between now and Friday’s loan deadline that Targett.
The left-back was quality for Fulham when he was on loan at Craven Cottage for the second half of last season and was involved in just two defeats out of his 21 league appearances for the club.
Aston Villa need to add some strength to their defence, especially at left-back with Alan Hutton having to play out of position there in the opening few weeks of this season.
Targett is a Premier League level player and would be one of the best left-backs in the Championship if Bruce snapped him up.
This is Futbol rating 10/10
Likely to happen?
At the moment, Southampton seem quite reluctant to let Targett leave whether it is on a permanent basis or on loan.
It is mad that they rejected £15million for him in the summer transfer window as he has only ever made 42 appearances in all competitions for the south coast club and in down the pecking order currently.
For Villa to pull off a deal, they would surely have to pay a loan fee, but even that might not be enough to force Southampton’s hand.
This is Futbol rating 2/10