Aston Villa are among a clutch of teams that have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Southampton left-back Matt Targett, according to TeamTalk.
The news outlet claims that Liverpool have enquired about signing the 23-year-old defender this summer, but are not the only team to make contact with Southampton as Arsenal, Aston Villa, Leicester, Newcastle and Fulham have also been in touch with the south coast club in the hope of a summer deal.
Targett only made 16 Premier League appearances for Southampton last season and it is understood that he’s been told by England’s coaches that he must try to seek more first-team opportunities if he wants to earn his debut senior cap for the Three Lions.
OPINION
Aston Villa’s interest in Targett will certainly complicate things for Liverpool. Alberto Moreno will leave Anfield once his contract expires at the end of this month and that means that Jurgen Klopp will need to sign a new left-back to play in a back-up role behind Andrew Robertson. Targett might leave St Mary’s this summer but if he wants to play for England, he must join a team where he is going to be the starting left-back and not playing second fiddle to one of the best full-backs in world football. Aston Villa only have Neil Taylor in the left-back role and Targett is without doubt better than the Wales international, so the 6ft [transfermarkt] Southampton flyer might opt for a switch to Villa Park because that’ll improve his chance of playing for the Three Lions. Targett would be a good second-choice left-back for Liverpool, but unless they offer him a lot of money, they might not be able to convince the 23-year-old that a move to Anfield is the best thing for his career.
