Aston Villa have been handed a major blow in their pursuit of Southampton’s Matt Targett following Inter Milan’s and Atletico Madrid’s interest in Ryan Bertrand.
According to the Daily Mail, cited by HITC, the Saints will now promote Targett as their first choice left-back next season and sell Bertrand, who has attracted some shock interest from Spain and Italy.
Villa emerged as contenders to land Targett this summer, along with Liverpool and Arsenal, however, it appears as if the 23-year-old will be staying put at St Mary’s if Bertrand completes a move to either European giant.
Dean Smith has already been busy in the current window, securing the services of Jota, Anwar El Ghazi, Wesley Moares and Kortney Hause.
With just Wales international Neil Taylor the only senior left-back contracted at Villa Park, it is believed Smith will add to his options ahead of the new season.
However, it appears as if the boyhood Villa fan will have to turn his attention away from the Southampton man following the latest report.
