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Southampton: Saints in talks with Villa over sale of Matt Targett

By Marc Walker

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Matt Targett of Southampton runs with the ball under pressure from Tom Davies of Everton during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on October 2, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Matt Targett of Southampton runs with the ball under pressure from Tom Davies of Everton during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on October 2, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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Southampton are reportedly in talks with fellow Premier League club Aston Villa over the sale of Matt Targett.

According to Sky Sports, the Villans are looking to make the 23-year-old their fourth permanent signing of the summer as they build towards their first season back in the top-flight.

Targett was said to have been interesting Fulham too but they may find it hard to secure a deal considering their relegation to Championship in 2018/19.

Saints now have some decisions to make about the left-backs that they have at their disposal.

Ryan Bertrand was recently linked with European giants Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan but was considered the first-choice options ahead of Targett last campaign.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal battles for possession with Matt Targett of Southampton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal battles for possession with Matt Targett of Southampton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

However, the promising Jake Vokins is also on their books and said to be impressing Ralph Hasenhuttl, whilst Sam McQueen will also be coming back from injury for the 2019/20 season.

With pre-season now just around the corner, Saints will be looking to sort this situation out quickly and get some good money for whoever they decide to sell.

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Targett was also mentioned as a transfer target for both Arsenal and Liverpool but it appears that link may be wide of the mark now.

After coming through the ranks at St Mary’s, he has never really kicked on to claim a consistent place in the first-choice eleven.

He had a loan spell with Fulham back in the 2017/18 season and seemed to take another step forward in his development.

An injury to Ryan Bertrand last season also gave him a chance to stake a claim with Saints, but he was ousted once his teammate returned to fitness.

Overall he has made 63 appearances for Saints and represented England up until Under-21s level.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is said to be looking for younger players with great potential to work with but he may well go against that with the potential sale of Targett.

It has been reported that the Austrian is looking to add a striker, a wing-back and a centre-back to his squad after the recent capture of winger Moussa Djenepo from Standard Liege.

Next. Five wingers who have been linked with Saints this summer. dark

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