Targett lines up Premier League return after influential Boro season
Matt Targett, who was a mainstay at left-back during Middlesbrough's run to last season's play-off final, is set to sign for newly promoted Hull City following his release by Newcastle United. The move would take the 30-year-old back into the Premier League just weeks after his loan spell on Teesside concluded with a Wembley defeat to Hull.
While Boro considered bringing Targett back on a free transfer, the club ultimately chose not to proceed. The decision factored in his top-flight wage level and a tactical preference to recruit a more attack-minded full-back to fit Kim Hellberg’s approach for the coming season.
Reliable performer leaves with strong numbers
Targett was a dependable figure throughout last term, contributing at both ends of the pitch as Middlesbrough pushed for promotion. Over the campaign he featured extensively and chipped in with key moments, including a two-goal display away at Birmingham City.
| Metric | 2025/26 (Boro) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 45 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Age | 30 |
His defensive reliability was noted across the campaign, even if the coaching staff now seek a different profile to progress the side’s attacking play from full-back areas.
Boro turn to alternatives on the left
Boro are pressing ahead with efforts to sign Max Arftsen, a long-standing target who fits the brief for greater attacking output from deep. That pursuit comes as the club recalibrates its left flank following Targett’s departure and as it looks to balance experience with development opportunities.
In a related move, Finley Munroe – who joined from Aston Villa six months ago – is close to a season-long loan to Blackpool in League One. The decision aims to secure him regular senior minutes rather than limit his progress behind first-team options at the Riverside.
Hull’s plans and Boro connections
Targett is expected to join Hull’s travelling party to Slovenia for a pre-season training camp, underlining how swiftly the newly promoted side is moving to bed in signings ahead of a top-flight campaign. He will also add competition in a position that includes another familiar name to Teesside: former Boro loanee Ryan Giles.
The Teessiders’ play-off final defeat to Hull at Wembley ensures another season in the Championship, but the shape of the summer business signals a clear intent to refine the side’s attacking mechanics from defence. By forgoing a return for Targett and prioritising a different profile, the club is betting on greater forward thrust down the left to convert dominance into results in 2026/27.
What it means for supporters
- No Targett return: Boro weighed up a free-agent deal but stepped back due to wage structure and tactical fit.
- Recruitment focus: An offensively minded left-back remains a priority, with Max Arftsen pursued.
- Youth pathway: Finley Munroe’s proposed loan to Blackpool is designed to accelerate his development with regular first-team football.
As pre-season continues, Middlesbrough’s left-back picture should crystallise quickly. For now, Targett’s impending move underlines the split in paths: a Premier League opportunity for the defender, and a recalibrated, attack-first brief for Boro on the opposite side of the North York Moors.
