Newcastle United boss on Celtic links to £15m man as transfer target ‘set for key Rangers talks’

The manager of Newcastle united Eddie Howe has addressed speculation over the future of Celtic-linked defender Matt Targett.

The 28-year-old has not played for the Magpies since November and has only made three league appearances

this season owing to a persistent hamstring problem.

Target, who joined Newcastle permanently in the summer of 2022,

has struggled to build on the good form he demonstrated on loan at St James’ Park during the 2021/22 season,

and he has now dropped behind Dan Burn and Tino Livramento in the pecking order.

The England left back has been extensively linked with a move to Celtic this month,

and manager Brendan Rodgers is said to be looking for a left back to compete with Alexandro Bernabei.

The Hoops are now without Greg Taylor due to a calf strain,

but Liam Scales has prospered since shifting to centre back this season.

Rodgers is short on choices in the region and is expected to keep a close eye on Targett,

whose contract is set to expire in 2026.

However, at his most recent press conference, Howe downplayed speculation that the left back will be leaving this month.

He went even farther, saying that Targett plays an important role in what he is developing at the Toon.

When queried about the speculation in a press conference, he responded, “No, incorrect, you’re way off.

“Matt is injured and has a long road ahead of him. He’s also a big part of what we’re doing here.”

Rangers are in negotiations with Colombian ace who has returned to Europe for talks.

Title contenders According to the Daily Record,

Rangers are close to making their third January signing and are in talks with Colombian youngster Oscar Cortes.

The 20-year-old Lens winger returned to Europe after being granted

permission to leave his national team’s U23 camp in Venezuela,

where they still have two games left in an Olympic qualifying event.

Rangers officials are hoping to complete a loan move for the youngster in the coming days,

with an option to buy in the summer.

Last summer, Cortes moved from his native Millonarios to Lens for £4 million.

However, he battled for first-team football at last season’s runners-up, making only four league games and scoring once.

The winger has played once for Colombia’s senior team and 13 times for the U20 team.

scoring four goals and giving two assists as his country advanced to the quarterfinals.

Get more related news on https://dailysportnews.co.uk