Newcastle have made Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi their number-one target in that position, according to journalist Jacque Talbot.
Fresh off concerns from Chronicle’s Newcastle editor Aaron Stokes surrounding the future of loanee full-back Matt Targett, Talbot has told GiveMeSport that the Magpies would prefer a move for Lodi this summer.
Targett spent the second half of the campaign on loan at the Magpies from Aston Villa and started all but one of the club’s 17 Premier League games – the one being against his parent club for which he was ineligible. However, PIF are thought to be looking at Lodi and would have to pay an apparent fee of £35m.
Chronicle Live previously reported that Newcastle had an agreement in principle to sign Targett permanently but is said to be attracting interest from newly-promoted Fulham – and a move to the Cottagers is thought to appeal to him, according to The Athletic.
Talbot has stressed that the St James’ Park club are keen on both players, but that the Brazilian has moved to the top of their priority list this summer.
He said: “I’m told that with Targett, it’s going to be more of a secondary option. So, they’ve put the feelers out for Lodi, who’s their main priority signing for that left-back side. And if that falls through, then they’re going to [come] back to Targett.”
Would you splash out on Lodi?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Lodi and Targett…
Targett’s steady performances on Tyneside are apparent from his 6.99 average match rating (WhoScored) that positioned him fourth in the Newcastle side overall this past season – but Lodi arguably offers a clear upgrade and has been described as ‘very dangerous’ by Diego Simeone.
Targett recorded just one goal and one assist in 2021/22 – both of which came at Villa – whereas, his reported replacement contributed to three goals alone in 10 Champions League matches.
Among players in his position within Europe’s top five leagues and European competitions, the 24-year-old ranks in the 94th percentile for non-penalty goals and the 91st percentile for assists per 90 minutes (as per FBRef), and having played with Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes for club and country respectively, they would be sure to help him settle in the north-east.