Jose Enrique believes Matt Targett is the 'perfect fit' for Newcastle United at the moment but has questioned whether the club will make the move permanent this summer. The Aston Villa full-back has impressed in seven black-and-white appearances so far since signing on loan on January deadline day.
Newcastle have agreed an option for a £15m deal this summer, and Steven Gerrard is understood to already be assessing backup left-backs in the event of Targett's departure. The former Southampton defender and Eddie Howe have both so far refused to be drawn on talk of a permanent move, although the Magpies head coach confirmed the 26-year-old had been 'excellent' since making his mid-season move.
Former Newcastle favourite Enrique has praised Targett's impact on Tyneside so far and believes the club landed the 'right one' to address their problem left-back area. However, the ex-Magpies defender has cast doubts over whether Howe will look to make the move permanent despite already agreeing a fee with Aston Villa.
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Speaking on behalf of Genting Casino, Enrique told ChronicleLive: "It's a lot of money, people talk about £15m like it's nothing but it is a lot of money. Obviously, if that's what Newcastle want then they can afford it with these owners.
"But, maybe they can afford something bigger in the summer. You don't know, they've signed [Kieran] Trippier on the right side. With all of my respect to Matty, obviously he is not Trippier. That's the reality.
"He is a very good player and I really like him. It could be an option to sign him, but it could also be an option to sign someone bigger as well, and have two very good options at left-back.
"I think if Newcastle actually want to go farther, yes but I could see a bigger player as well. You sign someone like Trippier from Atletico Madrid, I believe they can sign bigger as well."
Targett is one of five January signings to make an immediate impact as Newcastle sit nine points clear of the relegation zone courtesy of a nine-match unbeaten run. The full-back has impressed in defence and with his set-piece delivery, and Enrique believes the additions of both Targett and Trippier were made to provide the service required for fellow January signing Chris Wood.
Villa boss Gerrard's decision to sign Lucas Digne in January and a desire for regular first-team football led Targett to push for an initial temporary exit. Enrique does not feel this selection call should be held against the Newcastle loanee, insisting the defender is an ideal fit for Howe's approach at St James' Park.
Enrique added: "He is doing great, think he is doing really good. They needed a left-back, and they got the right one. I really like him, I think in the left-back position they have been struggling for a while.
"Getting Targett in with the other players they got in January, he is just the perfect fit for what Newcastle want at the moment as they wanted to stay in the league. Maybe if he keeps performing this way, Newcastle will buy him and I think he is a good player.
"It depends obviously on what Newcastle want for the future, maybe they want to go for an even bigger left-back. But at the moment, I really like the player and I think he is doing an amazing job.
"The most important thing is you sign players in the position you need. That's what Newcastle needed, and he is great at set-pieces. I think that is why they got him as well, when you sign Wood, he is a striker you want to deliver these kind of balls to be dangerous in the area.
"Stevie [Gerrard] obviously went for something different, but that doesn't mean he is a bad player. It could be the opposite sometimes, managers can want another kind of player but since he's come into Newcastle he's been great. It is the perfect fit for Eddie I believe."
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