Newcastle Need to Part Ways with Overpaid Bench Player

Newcastle United have hit an impressive run of form lately, reigniting their Premier League campaign and advancing to the Carabao Cup semifinals. The team dismantled Ipswich Town on Saturday, with several players stepping up in a crucial week.

Manager Eddie Howe has shown a knack for elevating previously peripheral squad members to important roles. Players like Joelinton and Fabian Schar have been transformed under his guidance. However, not every struggling player has been able to revive their standing at the club.

One player who has fallen out of favor is left-back Matt Targett. Newcastle signed Targett from Aston Villa for £15 million in 2022 after an initial loan spell. Despite penning a four-year deal, Targett has barely featured this season.

The 29-year-old is earning £100,000 per week, more than key contributors like Sven Botman and Joe Willock. In fact, Targett is making over three times as much as Jacob Murphy, who has become an important player for Howe’s side recently.

With Targett clearly not in Howe’s plans, the summer transfer window presents an ideal opportunity for Newcastle to offload the high-earning defender. Selling Targett would free up significant wage space and show the club values its most impactful players.

While limited options may prevent a January sale, Newcastle should look to move on from Targett at the end of the season. This would allow the club to better allocate resources and reward players who are contributing on the pitch.