Leeds are hoping the push through the signing of the left-back before the weekend, with Newcastle having signalled a willingness to allow Targett to leave this month.

While the 29-year-old has returned to full fitness after his latest injury absence, he has been unable to force his way into Eddie Howe’s plans.

Lewis Hall has established himself as Newcastle’s first-choice left-back this season, with both Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier able to provide cover on the left of the back four if needed.

Targett, who joined Newcastle on a permanent basis in the summer of 2022 for a fee of around £12m following a successful initial loan spell from Aston Villa, is due to enter the final year of his current contract at the end of the season.

He will not be offered a new deal, so Magpies officials have decided to cash in now rather than wait until the summer, by which point his value will potentially have decreased.

Leeds are looking for a low-cost replacement for Junior Firpo, who has entered the final six months of his deal at Elland Road, and had been in talks with Nordsjaelland over Daniel Svensson.

However, with Svensson looking likely to join Portuguese side Benfica, the Leeds hierarchy have focused their attention on Targett.

Talks are planned that should pave the way for Targett to complete a move to West Yorkshire. He would be joining a Leeds side that currently sit at the top of the Championship table, two points clear of second-placed Sheffield United.

Targett has suffered a series of injuries during his time on Tyneside that have prevented him from being able to hold down a regular place in the first team.