Updates on the futures of two members of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United squad have been provided on Friday.

First up comes some altogether positive news regarding a key member of the Magpies’ central defensive ranks.

The player in question? Fabian Schar. Swiss international Schar has of course played a key role in Newcastle’s remarkable resurgence of late, striking up an impressive partnership with January arrival Dan Burn to guide the club into the top half of the Premier League table.

In turn, despite ongoing links to a number of potential defensive reinforcements come the summer, speculation had begun to ramp up over recent weeks that the 30-year-old was ready to commit to fresh terms on Tyneside.

And, on Friday morning, precisely that was confirmed.

As per a series of posts across the club’s social media platforms, Schar has put pen to paper on a new contract, set to see him remain a Newcastle player through the summer of 2024.

Targett latest

As alluded to above, though, the updates on the Magpies’ defensive core have not ended there.

This comes with an insight having too been provided into the future of loanee Matt Targett.

Full-back Targett of course made the move to St. James’ Park during the January transfer window, linking up Eddie Howe’s squad for the remainder of the campaign, from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

And the 26-year-old has since gone on to establish himself as a key figure in the club’s backline, slotting in at left-back with minimal fuss en route to seeing out the full 90 minutes in twelve of the club’s last 13 fixtures.

Such impressive exploits, in turn, had already culminated in speculation that those in a position of power on Tyneside had come to the decision to make Targett’s arrival permanent come the summer.

As one Newcastle defender signs new contract, update provided on Matt Targett’s future

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Matt Targett during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on April 17, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

If the latest reports doing the rounds on Friday are anything to go by, however, then such a call, in fact, has not yet been made.

As per the reliable Gregg Evans of The Athletic, despite having been impressed by Targett’s efforts thus far, Eddie Howe is ‘considering all potential transfer options before pursuing such a move’.

It is too added that ‘Newcastle believe the framework of a deal can be agreed for the left-back if they decide to move for him, but they are yet to engage in substantive talks with Villa’.

 

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