"Is he good enough?" - Journalist drops interesting claim on January arrival at Newcastle United

Newcastle are trying to determine whether Matt Targett is good enough to help the side progress in the long-term before signing him permanently, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Targett joined Eddie Howe’s side until the end of the season from Aston Villa back in January, and he has started well on Tyneside.

Since he arrived at St James’ Park, Targett has started all eight of the matches that he has been available for, only missing Newcastle’s game against his parent club Villa as he was ineligible.

The full-back has slotted in seamlessly to the team’s defence, and has looked comfortable alongside fellow new signing Dan Burn on the left-hand side of Newcastle’s back four.

It was reported last month that the Magpies already have an agreement in principle with Villa to sign Targett permanently this summer, in a deal that is set to be worth around £15m.

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Jones has hinted that Targett staying beyond this season at Newcastle is not necessarily a certainty as he has suggested that the North-East club have doubts about whether he can take them to the next level.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Matt Targett’s a good player, but is he good enough for where Newcastle want to head? I think that’s what they’re trying to decide right now.”

Looking at the teams that Targett has played for over the years, he has been at Fulham, Southampton and Villa. These are all sides that have tended to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League or towards the top of the Championship in recent seasons.

Therefore, it is understandable if Newcastle do have some concerns about whether Targett can take that next step. The club have ambitious owners who will want to be challenging at the right