MATT TARGETT has revealed that Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe spelled out his desire to sign him on a permanent basis before the end of last season.

Targett became the Magpies' first summer addition when he completed a £15m move from Villa yesterday

The left-back made a positive impression while on loan from Villa Park in the second half of the last campaign, and while Newcastle’s recruitment team explored the possibility of signing Renan Lodi from Atletico Madrid, Targett's return to Tyneside on a permanent basis was finalised at the start of this week.

“I’m over the moon to have signed here permanently,” said Targett, in an interview with NUFC TV. “I had such an enjoyable loan staff – the fans, the players, the staff, they’ve all welcomed me and I’ve really loved my time here.

“I spoke with the manager just before the Burnley game, and he said he wanted to sign me. After the last game of the season, it was quiet for a bit, but about a week ago, it started to liven up. We’ve been back and forth, and I’m just over the moon that we got it done.”

The Northern Echo:

Targett made 16 appearances as Newcastle hauled themselves away from trouble in the second half of last season, and his impact both on and off the pitch persuaded the club to turn his loan deal into a permanent move.

“When you’re on loan, you want to make a good impression with your performances and how you act off the pitch,” he added. “I think I did that, and I’m really looking forward to the next four years.”

Having completed the signing of Targett, Newcastle's recruitment team are attempting to tie up deals for Lille defender Sven Botman and Reims forward Hugo Ekitike.