Matt Targett has lifted the lid on the "killer" moment he was told that his 2017 move to Newcastle United was suddenly off.
The left-back signed for Newcastle permanently last summer but came agonisingly close to joining the Magpies from Southampton during the Rafa Benitez. So close, he'd packed his bags and was starting to contemplate life in the football mad city of Newcastle before receiving a call that hit him like a hammer blow.
As he prepares to face the team that put him on the road to prominence this weekend in Southampton, Targett - who played over an hour against Everton in the 4-1 win on Thursday - told Chronicle Live: "It was really close, it was under Rafa Benitez.
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"It was a deadline day loan move back in 2017. And I was literally on my way to the airport when I got the phone call to say the deal is off. That was a killer back then but things happen for a reason."
Targett ended up leaving Southampton in 2018 to join Fulham on loan where he made 21 appearances and won the play-offs at Wembley, beating Aston Villa beneath the famous arch. He then returned to the Saints playing his final season in 2018/19 under Mark Hughes then Ralph Hassenhuttl before a big money move to Aston Villa. Then just 23 Targett signed for Dean Smith as Villa stayed up on the final day of the season.
Targett eventually left Villa after being told he must fight for his place under Steven Gerrard in 2021, with his loan move to Newcastle converted into a permanent deal six months later. He now finds himself fit again after a heel bone injury and after making his first start of 2023 against Everton is in contention to face the Saints on Tyneside this weekend. Speaking ahead of the clash against the rock bottom side Targett knows he it will be an emotional one.
Targett first signed for Southampton at the age of eight and would not want to see them get relegated. Targett said: I came through the academy there and owe them a lot for what they've done for my career. But obviously we're fighting for Champions League so full focus is on getting three points."
The Eastleigh-born defender has no regrets over his collapsed move now and when asked if it was a case of good things come to those who wait, he replied: "Yeah exactly." And with that Targett was off down the narrow Goodison Park tunnel to start preparations for United's second game in just four days.
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