Fulham are lining up another bid for Southampton left back Matt Targett, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The Whites were initially hopeful of securing a permanent transfer for the former England under-21 international who impressed during his loan spell at Craven Cottage last season, but negotiations over a deal broke down. Southampton rejected two Fulham offers for their academy graduate and Fulham switched their attention to other targets. But the Premier League new boys have met with more frustration as deals to bring in Manchester City youngster Oleksandr Zinchenko and the Swedish World Cup left back Ludwig Augustinsson from Werder Bremen failed to materialise.

Fulham are now planning to return with an improved offer for Targett, who has told the Saints he is unwilling to play second fiddle to Ryan Bertrand after experiencing regular first-team football last term. Mark Hughes isn’t keen on sanctioning a move to his former club for Targett and Southampton would prefer to let Sam McQueen leave St, Mary’s, but it remains to be seen whether an agreement could be reached before the end of the transfer window in eleven days time.

Targett, who made 21 appearances as Slavisa Jokanovic’s men finally returned to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs, is thought to be keen on moving to west London for a shot at first-team football. Fulham remain short of options at left back and Jokanovic is eager to try and avoid Ryan Sessegnon having to fill in there rather than operate on the left wing.