- Martin Dubravka appeared to say goodbye to Newcastle fans on Tuesday night.
- He seemed set to go to Saudi Arabia, but Eddie Howe wants him to stay.
- Hear It's all starting! Why Manchester United might have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
Eddie Howe says he is “hopeful” Newcastle can agree a deal to keep Martin Dubravka at the club beyond January.
Mail Sport reported on Thursday that Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell would try to persuade the Slovak to stay. He has a lucrative offer on the table from Saudi club Al-Shabab and, with six months left on his contract, he is believed to want to leave. He appeared to say a tearful farewell to his fans after Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
But given No. 1 Nick Pope's knee injury (he is due to return later this month) and Dubravka's excellent form during a seven-match winning streak, the club sees no logic in letting him leave now, especially as it would not significantly affect in your PSR situation.
Howe says talks are taking place with the 35-year-old and we understand that while Dubravka doesn't necessarily want a contract extension, improving terms between now and the end of the season could be an option.
“I think Martin has been in a tough spot,” Howe said. “Like any player who ends his contract in the summer, there is always that feeling of doubt. Naturally he will want some closure for his future, whether it is a new contract with us, whatever the result. But he has certainly played very well and I am very satisfied with it. We want to keep it.
“He has more than played his part in our recent run of games. “Again against Arsenal, I thought he was very, very good, so I hope we can reach some kind of agreement with him.”
Martin Dubravka received lucrative offer to move to Saudi Arabia this month
Eddie Howe wants to keep him and will try to convince the goalkeeper to stay at Newcastle
Dubravka appeared to bid a tearful farewell to Newcastle fans after Tuesday's win at Arsenal.
Howe also believes the team's current situation (fifth in the standings and one draw away from the Carabao Cup final) will help the club keep Dubravka on Tyneside.
“I think so, of course,” he said. 'The team is in a good moment and Martin is in a good moment. He'll know he's been a big part of that. I don't think there was any part of this that was negative. The focus is mainly on Martin's future. That is the area that we, as a football club, have to clarify, when he barely has six months left on his contract. That will be the important thing for Martín.
“I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that emotionally he is very involved. All those things will play a part in his decision-making and ours, and hopefully in the end there will be a successful outcome.”
Howe was asked if, if not, he could send his giant centre-back pairing of Sven Botman and Dan Burn to persuade Dubravka to stay?
'We will do whatever it takes!' he said, with a smile.
Meanwhile, as Mail Sport's Newcastle Confidential column reported on Thursday, Howe confirmed that star striker Alexander Isak is fine after suffering a hamstring scare at Arsenal. However, he will be rested for Sunday's FA Cup match at home against Bromley.
