OPINION
West Ham must swoop for Southampton’s Matt Targett before Fulham get the opportunity to as the left-sided defender would be a huge hit at the London Stadium.
The Hammers have already inflicted the Cottagers with a noticeable blow by securing the services of their speed demon Ryan Fredericks according to a report by Claret and Hugh.
The news site, that specialises in West Ham information, shared that Fredericks’ capture was set to be completed on Monday in order for him to be a Hammers player for next season.
While the 25-year-old right-back was good, it was his fellow defender Targett who really transformed the Cottagers’ season upon arriving at the club on loan from the Saints in January.
The left-back barely suffered a defeat while wearing a Fulham jersey and was tremendous in his 18 outings for the club as he even managed to be involved with the scoring of three goals to help his temporary’s side cause.
Ahead of Targett arriving at the club, the Cottagers were being forced to use their great attacking threat, Ryan Sessegnon as a left-back but once the defender arrived it transformed the London club’s promotion bid for the better.
With the 22-year-old set to return to St Mary’s as his loan deal has finished at Fulham, the Hammers should swoop in and secure him on a permanent basis before the Cottagers have a chance.
The Premier League new boys will no doubt try to secure the services of a player who changed their side for the better in the 2017/18 season and would be miserable if he also, just like Fredericks, ended up at the London Stadium.
Targett in his appearances proved that he was a step above his opponents in the Championship with his displays and would be able to perform in the Premier League on a weekly basis if given an opportunity.
With the Hammers’ current options at left-back being Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku, two players who flourish going forward while defensively vulnerable, Manuel Pellegrini could do with a more sturdy option like Targett.
The current Saints defender can offer an outlet going forward but his main talent is his reliability at the back and he always ensures he prioritises his defensive duties above all else.
Targett previously revealed in a Sky Sports interview that it was an “option” for him to join Fulham if they could agree a fee with the Saints for his services, but the Hammers could also do that.
Therefore Pellegrini’s team should upset Fulham further by beating them to the punch by signing Targett ahead of them.
