West Ham United and Norwich City have both emerged as contenders for the signing of highly-rated left-back Matt Targett
West Ham and Norwich City Make Move for Eddie Howe’s ‘Outstanding’ Targett After Middlesbrough Spell
West Ham United and Norwich City have both emerged as contenders for the signing of highly-rated left-back Matt Targett, with the Championship duo monitoring the defender ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Targett enjoyed an impressive season on loan at Middlesbrough after joining from Newcastle United, where he was entering the final year of his contract at St James’ Park. The experienced full-back quickly became a key figure under both Rob Edwards and his successor Kim Hellberg, proving his consistency throughout a demanding Championship campaign.
The 30-year-old featured 45 times across league and play-off fixtures, underlining his importance to Middlesbrough’s defensive structure. His attacking contribution also caught the eye, with Targett scoring four goals during the season, including a memorable brace away against Birmingham City, while also registering four assists.
His performances have attracted interest from clubs looking for reliability and experience in the left-back position, with both West Ham and Norwich believed to be weighing up moves for the defender.
Targett was previously described as “outstanding” by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe during his time at St James’ Park, where he became a popular figure after joining from Aston Villa in a £15 million deal in 2022. However, Newcastle opted against extending his stay, leaving the player available on a free transfer this summer.
For Norwich, the opportunity to add a proven Championship performer could strengthen their ambitions of pushing towards promotion, while West Ham are also considering options to add depth and competition to their squad.
With his experience at Premier League and Championship level, combined with his leadership qualities and attacking output, Targett is expected to be one of the most sought-after free agents available during the summer transfer window.
The race for his signature is now beginning to intensify, with both West Ham and Norwich City keen to secure a player who has already demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level.
