After 29 games in the 2024/25 Championship season, many Leeds United fans will be confident that the team may return to the Premier League after a two-year hiatus.
The Whites, coached by manager Daniel Farke, are now top of the league with only 17 games remaining, putting them in pole position to win the title and make apologies for last season’s play-off setback.
Despite their good run, the January transfer window provides an opportunity for the leadership to invest more and improve their league place.
As of now, no transactions have been completed, despite several reports about players who could move to Elland Road before the deadline.
A fresh name has now been added to the mix, with Farke’s side considering offering one player a lifeline with a move to Yorkshire in the coming days.
Leeds United make contact with Premier League star.
According to The Athletic, Leeds have contacted Newcastle United about a possible bid to capture Matt Targett before Monday’s deadline.
The 29-year-old has struggled for playing time in recent months, making only nine appearances in the last two seasons at St James’ Park.
According to the source, the Magpies are negotiating a fee of around £15 million, which would allow them to repay their whole investment in his signing after he moves to Tyneside in the summer of 2022.
Targett, who earns £100k per week in the North East, may be more likely to transfer to the Yorkshire club on loan as a result of the requested fee and weekly earnings, perhaps assisting Farke in his promotion bid.
Any deal for the full-back could result in the Whites acquiring another version of a player who impressed during his own temporary move to the club from a top-tier club.
Why Targett might be Leeds’ next Ben White defender.
Ben White joined Leeds on loan in the 2019/20 season, where he played an important role in numerous places during the club’s previous promotion from the Championship.
During his temporary tenure, the former Brighton man frequently played right-back and centre-back, appearing nearly 50 times in one season, prompting calls for the management to sign the Englishman on a permanent basis.
He’s now moved to Arsenal, where he plays at the highest level, but it’s safe to say the 27-year-old is still highly regarded by the supporters following his brief stint at Elland Road.
Any deal for Targett may result in the club acquiring a fresh version of the star, with the Newcastle player capable of making a similar effect during his loan spell in Yorkshire this month.
He has already impressed during a brief term, as evidenced by his move to Tyneside, where he made 16 appearances and became an essential part of Eddie Howe’s side, something he may repeat under Farke, following in White’s footsteps.
When it comes to the club’s current left-back options, Sam Byram is beginning in an unfamiliar position, with usual starter Junior Firpo dealing with injuries in recent times.
The “top-quality” Magpies player, as described by previous manager Dean Smith, has generated countless figures equal to White’s during his time under Marcelo Bielsa, demonstrating why Targett may have a similar influence.
Targett completed more advanced passes per 90 minutes on loan at Newcastle in 2021/22 than White did with Leeds in 2019/20, while also registering more shot-creating actions, indicating his offensive danger at full-back.
He also made more tackles and won more aerial battles, providing Farke with defensive consistency in the backline as the club looks to clinch promotion once again.
While it may appear to be an unpopular and uninteresting acquisition, he has already demonstrated his ability to contribute positively while temporarily playing for a different team, which he hopes to carry over to any prospective move.
If he makes any type of impact similar to White’s at Elland Road, he will be a major hit with fans, which might play a huge factor in their hopes of returning to the top flight.
