Newcastle transfer news: Eddie Howe issues update on first-team player who has "never said he wants to leave"

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is hopeful that the aboriginal of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka volition beryllium resolved arsenic soon arsenic imaginable and that an "agreement" betwixt each parties tin beryllium reached.

The 35-year-old is facing an uncertain aboriginal astatine St James' Park, arsenic his declaration is owed to expire successful six months' time.

Dubravka has been with the Magpies since January 2018 and has made a full of 171 appearances crossed each competitions, but helium has had to play 2nd fiddle to first-choice shot-stopper Nick Pope since his accomplishment astatine the nine successful 2022.

The Slovakia international, who went connected indebtedness to Manchester United for the 2nd fractional of the 2022-23 season, has struggled for crippled clip this term, but helium has started each of Newcastle's past 7 matches successful each competitions successful the lack of the injured Pope, winning each 7 and keeping 5 cleanable sheets.

Dubravka was a standout performer successful Newcastle's 2-0 triumph astatine Arsenal successful the archetypal limb of their EFL Cup semi-final necktie connected Tuesday, and helium was seen successful tears aft the lucifer arsenic helium appeared to question goodbye to the travelling Magpies supporters.

Recent reports assertion that Dubravka has received a lucrative connection from Saudi Pro League nine Al Shabab and it is understood that the goalkeeper is leaning towards making the determination to the Middle East.

© Imago

Will Dubravka permission Newcastle successful January?

However, Howe has confirmed that Dubravka has ne'er asked to permission Newcastle and has admitted that helium wants to clasp the services of the goalkeeper.

Speaking astatine a property league connected Friday up of Newcastle's FA Cup third-round necktie with Bromley connected Sunday, Howe said: "I deliberation [Dubravka] has been successful a hard presumption with his declaration being up successful the summer.

"There is that uncertainty and helium volition people privation immoderate decision to his future. Whatever the outcome, helium has much than played his portion successful our caller tally of fixtures. Hopefully, we tin travel to immoderate benignant of statement with him."

Howe added: "Martin has ne'er said helium wants to leave. He has been a precise bully nonrecreational and it's a recognition to him due to the fact that it was hard erstwhile Nick Pope was successful the team, but helium was acceptable to travel successful and perform.

"That's down to however hard helium trains and you tin spot however overmuch Newcastle means to him. He is precise invested. I deliberation the close determination volition beryllium the close determination - not conscionable for america but for Martin arsenic well.

"Martin is performing truly good and we privation to support him. He's ne'er said helium wants to permission and hopefully we tin resoluteness things."

Although Pope is "not acold away" from returning from a genu injury, Dubravka is expected to commencement for Newcastle successful their FA Cup location necktie with League Two broadside Bromley.

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