Newcastle target €50m Renan Lodi as Targett alternative
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 25 Apr 2022 09:47 BST
- 3 min read
Renan Lodi remains a target for Newcastle despite the glowing performances of Matt Targett, FootballTransfers understands.
Atletico Madrid's left-back is still on the shortlist to fill the position in the summer, as Eddie Howe looks to build on what’s been a tremendous end to the campaign.
Sources have told FootballTransfers that talks between Targett and Newcastle will happen at the end of the season, with both sides happy with how things are going.
But Lodi is another option for the side, who have lofty ambitions to truly compete in the Premier League next season.
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A fan poll showed that 97.5% of Newcastle supporters wish to keep Aston Villa loanee Targett beyond the end of the season. But, as per The Athletic, the defender, 26, is only one of a number of left-backs head of recruitment Steve Nickson has on his shortlist.
We understand that Lodi's representatives had spoken to Newcastle in January and that interest still remains, though it's not clear whether the Magpies would be willing to go the more expensive route in the summer when other positions - such as another striker and centre-back - are more of a priority.
Lodi has also garnered attraction from another established English club who are looking for a complete overhaul, while we're told Lodi has recently obtained an Italian passport and Serie A could be an option.
It's thought that Atletico would ask upwards of €50 million for the defender and that he is open to a move to the Premier League. The 24-year-old's contract is up at the Wanda Metropolitano in 2025 and he remains a regular starter under Diego Simeone, whose ambition is to keep him.
Lodi or Targett?
Targett offers a sense of defensive discipline that Newcastle desperately needed in January when relegation was staring them in the face. Lodi is more of an attacking threat and enjoys bombing up the wing and being a direct threat from wide positions.
He has scored four goals and made three assists this season and can even be played in a more attacking role if called for.
Targett would cost around €15m and so is the vastly cheaper option.
But it cannot be underestimated how Newcastle will look to utilise the best options out there in the summer and will not make any move or transfer based on sentimentality.
