Matt Targett could join Premier League rivals instead of NUFC - Player 'prefers' to be further south - Report

Aston Villa defender Matt Targett, who spent the last six months on loan at Newcastle, could join newly promoted Fulham with the full-back preferring to live down south where his family are still based.

Newcastle have been very interested in making Targett's loan permanent with manager Eddie Howe being very vocal in his admiration of the player while teammate Bruno Guimaraes has previously claimed "he has to stay."

A £15million fee has been rumoured to be the price for the 26-year-old who has been very dependable for us in the short time he has spent at the club - a huge upgrade on the likes of Matt Ritchie or Jamal Lewis.

Newcastle are also interested in Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi, former teammate of Kieran Trippier and current Brazil teammate of Bruno, which would give us a different option should Targett turn us down.

The former Southampton man is already well loved in Newcastle and most fans have expressed their desire for him to stay, but only time will tell on where he chooses to go.