Matt Targett Isn’t The Signing West Ham Need

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

Norwich City are said to be leading the race for left-back Matt Targett, 30, following his release by Newcastle United.

The defender spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough and has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham following our drop into the Championship.

I’m Underwhelmed

If I’m honest, as soon as we were linked with a move for the full-back last week, I was completely underwhelmed.

Not because I’m unrealistic or lack pragmatism. I understand that West Ham will not be shopping for top-level players.

However, I think there is enough experience within the squad with the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Kyle Walker-Peters to mean we don’t have to be signing journeymen on free transfers.

Let’s be fair, Targett was released by Eddie Howe for good reason.

And it’s the same reason why a club of Norwich City’s stature are chasing him.

West Ham Must Think Beyond The Championship

Perhaps I shouldn’t be turning my nose up at a player who would undoubtedly do a decent job in the Championship.

But West Ham’s priority has to be bringing in players who will improve throughout the season.

Should we achieve our goal of winning promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, they also have to be good enough to perform in the top flight.

So maybe, as a free transfer, it’s a low-risk move.

Targett would likely play second fiddle to El Hadji Malick Diouf.

And were we to earn promotion, we could probably move him on again to another club without too much difficulty.

I just don’t believe this is why West Ham’s owners have overhauled the club’s recruitment department.

Surely it wasn’t to go and sign this type of footballer.

Maybe I’m wrong.

But I won’t be losing any sleep if Matt Targett ends up at Norwich City rather than the London Stadium.