Derby County enter race with Middlesbrough to sign Newcastle United ace

Derby County join Middlesbrough in race for Newcastle United defender Matt Targett

Derby County F.C. are reportedly ready to rival Middlesbrough F.C. in the race to sign Matt Targett from Newcastle United F.C. this summer.

After narrowly missing out on a Championship play-off place following a final-day defeat to Sheffield United F.C., Derby are expected to push hard again under manager John Eustace as they target a stronger promotion challenge next season.

The Rams are understood to be moving quickly in the transfer market, with Targett emerging as a serious option ahead of the new campaign. The experienced left-back recently returned to Newcastle after a productive loan spell with Middlesbrough, where he impressed during the club’s run to the play-off final.

Targett, who joined Newcastle from Aston Villa F.C. in 2022, is nearing the end of his contract and is expected to leave on a free transfer, making him an attractive target for Championship clubs.

Middlesbrough had been tipped to bring the defender back to Teesside permanently after his successful spell, but Derby have now entered the picture and are hoping to convince him to head to Pride Park instead.

With Derby looking ambitious both on and off the pitch, and investment talk continuing around potential backing from Turki Alalshikh, the battle for Targett could become one of the more interesting Championship transfer stories of the summer.