Fulham haven’t get up hope of concluding a deal with Southampton for the permanent transfer of left back Matt Targett, according to reports this morning.
The Whites have not been deterred by having a £10m bid for the former England under 21 international rejected earlier this summer and are hoping to capitalise on the defender’s reported unhappiness at not being able to discuss terms over a move to Craven Cottage. Targett, who starred during a successful loan spell in west London during the second half of last season, is unwilling to sit on the Southampton bench again this season after getting a taste of first-team football last term.
The 22 year-old, who made 21 appearances as Slavisa Jokanovic’s side reached the Premier League via the Championship play-offs, is viewed as one of Fulham’s top targets after striking up a great understanding with Ryan Sessegnon along the left flank. Jokanovic is known to be seeking reinforcements at left back, despite the signing of Maxime La Marchand from Nice last week, in order to allow Sessegnon to continue operating in the left wing role where he finished last season. Fulham have also been linked with a potential move for Werder Bremen’s Swedish international full-back Ludwig Augustinsson, who the Cottagers reportedly scouted during the World Cup.
The Eastleigh-born defender has been with Southampton since the age of eight and made his senior debut for the club in the EFL Cup against Millwall in August 2014. Targett has gone to make 42 first-team appearances for the Saints, but has fallen behind England international Ryan Bertrand in the pecking order at St. Mary’s. Southampton boss Mark Hughes is keen to hold onto Targett as he seeks to keep the Saints’ best young talent at the club, but Fulham are confident that they can secure the attack-minded left back on a permanent basis.
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