Aston Villa transfer doubt cast as Newcastle United told to go 'bigger'

Former Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique has cast doubt on his old side signing Matt Targett from Aston Villa on a permanent deal.

Targett is currently on loan at Newcastle after signing for Eddie Howe's side until the end of the season in January. The former Southampton left-back was benched as soon as Lucas Digne arrived at Villa from Everton in a £25 million deal a couple of months ago and he decided to move away in search of first-team football.

It has been reported that a £15m transfer has been agreed for Targett to move to Newcastle at the end of the season, a deal that would bring an end to the player's time at Villa. Targett has been a consistent performer since he was purchased from Saints upon promotion to the Premier League back in summer 2019.

However, with Villa boss Steven Gerrard moving to bring in Digne from Everton that left Targett on the sidelines. He has impressed at Newcastle, who are now flush with cash after a takeover.

They are likely to make Targett's move permanent but Enrique reckons they could get a better player instead. "It's a lot of money, people talk about £15m like it's nothing but it is a lot of money," Enrique told BirminghamLive's colleagues at ChronicleLive.

"Obviously, if that's what Newcastle want then they can afford it with these owners. But, maybe they can afford something bigger in the summer. You don't know, they've signed (Kieran) Trippier on the right side.

"With all of my respect to Matty, obviously he is not Trippier. That's the reality. He is a very good player and I really like him. It could be an option to sign him, but it could also be an option to sign someone bigger as well, and have two very good options at left-back.

"I think if Newcastle actually want