Early Ashworth blunder: NUFC now heading for disaster on "massive" £35k-p/w gem - opinion

On-loan Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett is reportedly a summer transfer target for Championship outfit Fulham who look all but set for an instant return to the top-flight.

According to Football League World, the West London outfit are monitoring the happenings of the English left-back who joined Newcastle on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season in January.

With Marco Silva’s side 12 points clear of the Championship playoff spots with 12 games to go, the Cottagers look all but set for a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, having been relegated last season.

Therefore, plans for the English top-tier are already being made and it appears as though Targett, who spent the second half of the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Craven Cottage, is being targeted for a return to Fulham, this time on a permanent basis.

After Aston Villa signed Lucas Digne from Everton in January, Targett immediately requested that he go on loan in order to ensure game time, joining Newcastle for the remainder of the campaign.

It was certainly a surprise, with the left-back subject to a showering of praise from Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor last season.

“In the last 15 years, he’s the best left-back Villa have had,” said the former striker. “Even during my time and the left-backs I played with, I look at Matt Targett and he’s the best we’ve had in the last 15 years since I made my debut.”

“He’s really comfortable on the ball, if he can continue to put in these performances then there is 100 per cent no reason why he can’t get into the England squad.”

Thus far, the 26-year-old has been a revelation at St.James’ Park, playing every minute for the Magpies bar their 1-0 win over Villa for which the Englishman was