Newcastle United were heavily linked with a swoop for left-back Lucas Digne when he was on the books of Everton but he instead joined Aston Villa for a fee reported to be worth £25m. The Magpies utilised their transfer budget on numerous occasions in the January transfer window but in their search for a left-back, eventually went for a cheaper option than Digne.
In fact, it was Digne's move which paved the way for Newcastle to sign Matt Targett on loan from Villa, as the Frenchman had displaced Targett in Steven Gerrard's side. Villa had landed the higher profile signing but in retrospect, Newcastle appear to have got the better deal.
Targett has made a seamless transition to life on Tyneside, featuring in every single league game he has been eligible to play in under Eddie Howe. Digne, on the other hand, has not been quite as plain-sailing. Having missed a meeting with Arsenal last month due to a hamstring injury, the 28-year-old has been sidelined and Villa boss Steven Gerrard has conceded that he could be without the defender for the rest of the season.
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As reported by BirminghamLive, Gerrard said: "I'm concerned and worried about it because he's in a sling right now. We've got a collarbone issue rather than a shoulder issue. If it's what we fear, it could be season over. It stings right now and, to lose a really important player, a player who we missed last week when he went off. So, yeah, we'll analyse it in the next 24 hours in terms of scans and we'll have a medical report on it but the doctors have said they are worried and concerned and that tells you the story."
Digne has been pictured with his left arm in a sling and his absence could leave Villa relying on veteran Ashley Young at left-back. There is a strong argument to be made that Newcastle are in a better position at left-back and Digne's injury struggles only emphasise how shrewd the addition of Targett was.
