Eddie Howe ready to sanction double Newcastle sale after sealing Matt Targett transfer

Newcastle could be about to sanction two transfer exits following the re-signing of left-back from Matt Targett this week.

The Magpies first landed Targett on loan from Aston Villa in January and the 26-year-old was a regular in the line-up following his move to St James’ Park. He played 16 times in the second half of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign and, on Wednesday, re-joined Newcastle on a permanent deal in a move worth £15million.

It is the first signing of what is expected to be another hectic transfer window for Eddie Howe’s side. Newcastle splashed out £90million in January and further spending is expected ahead of the 2022/23 season as they look to improve on an 11th-place finish and push towards the European spots.

With Targett the first to arrive and others expected later this summer, Newcastle are reportedly close to sanctioning two transfer exits to help clear space in the squad. They have already sent midfielder Isaac Hayden out on loan to Norwich in a deal that could become permanent if certain performance-based criteria are met.

Left-back Jamal Lewis could also be on the way out of Tyneside this summer, with Targett’s return further cementing his status lower down the pecking order. Experienced defender Paul Dummett recently signed a contract extension with the Magpies and Chronicle Live have suggested that this could pave the way for Lewis to depart.

In January, he was left out of Newcastle’s 25-man Premier League squad and he has not played a top-flight match since December, missing the final months of the campaign for groin surgery.

It was not too long ago that Lewis had been credited with transfer interest from Champions League finalists Liverpool, but now he appears to be Newcastle’s