Newcastle United have scheduled a medical for Matt Targett ahead of a permanent move to St James' Park this summer, says transfer insider Dean Jones.

The left-back spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at the Tyneside club from Aston Villa and now looks set to extend his stay.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

What is the latest news involving Targett?

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle are hoping to wrap up a £12m deal for Targett soon after his impressive loan spell.

The same outlet states that Fulham have shown an interest in the 26-year-old, who had a stint with the west London side back in 2018, but it looks like St James' Park will be the place where he is playing his football next season.

Targett made 16 appearances for Newcastle following his move there from Villa Park, helping them to stay in the Premier League.

And with Lucas Digne taking his place at the Villans, a permanent transfer elsewhere now looks to be in his best interest.

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What has Jones said about Targett to Newcastle?

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that he expects Targett to complete his switch to Eddie Howe's side soon, with a medical booked in.

Speaking to GMS, the transfer insider said: "The Dan Ashworth arrival has actually slowed progress on some deals, but Targett has a medical scheduled, so I’m expecting it to get done. Howe trusts him and the club were generally happy with him last season."

How did Targett perform during his loan spell at Newcastle?

Very well. On WhoScored, only three Newcastle players topped the £35,000-a-week star's rating of 6.99.

When it came to tackles, Targett averaged 2.6 per game, which was only bettered by Kieran Trippier's 2.8, while it was also a similar theme with interceptions.

Again, only Trippier (1.7) ranked above him, with the former Southampton man recording 1.6 a match. Going forward, he averaged 1.5 crosses, putting him in the top three players for the category, so it is fair to say that he showed most of the qualities of a good modern-day full-back under Howe.

Discussing Targett at the end of the season, the Newcastle boss told reporters (via The Shields Gazette): "He’s been outstanding. I think the biggest compliment I can pay any loan player is that I view him as an integral member of the squad.

"His attitude, conduct, performances and consistency have been of the highest level. We really, really like him."

After that loan spell, and for £12m, Newcastle bringing in Targett permanently is a no-brainer.