Newcastle United have decided that they want to sign full-back Matt Targett permanently this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Targett arrived at St James' Park on deadline day in January until the end of the season, and has slotted into Eddie Howe's side seamlessly.

How have Newcastle performed since Targett joined?

The 26-year-old has started all of the games that he has been eligible for since joining Newcastle, only missing their match against his parent club, Aston Villa, in February.

The Magpies have been on a remarkable run in recent months, which has seen them move out of bottom three and into mid-table.

Targett deserves credit for the side's resurgence, having been a steadying influence at left-back over the past three months.

Liverpool 2-0 Everton! Full reaction to Merseyside derby on The Football Terrace...

What has Jones said about Newcastle signing Targett permanently?

Jones claimed last month that Targett was unlikely to stay at Newcastle permanently, and the club have been linked with Bologna's Aaron Hickey.

However, Jones believes the situation has changed in recent weeks, and Newcastle do now want to keep Targett beyond this season.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think he has, in the last few weeks, become the number one target. I think, things have changed. I think there’ll be a deal looking to be made soon to sign him. I think it’s about £15m.”

Has Targett earned a permanent switch to Newcastle?

With every passing week, Targett seems to be getting more comfortable on Tyneside, so it makes sense for Newcastle to keep hold of him.

Compared to some of the other players that Newcastle brought in back in January, Targett was not the most glamourous signing. Howe also added Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes to his squad, who are more eye-catching names.

Yet Targett has quietly gone about his work, and has been one of the team's most consistent performers in the second half of the season.

There may be some doubts about whether he could reach the level of being a Champions League defender, if Newcastle want to try and break into that competition in the next few years.

For this stage of their journey, though, where they are trying to build a team that can gradually start to compete with the bigger teams in the league, he appears to be a good fit.