Eddie Howe's Newcastle United squad wish after talks & personal terms agreed claim

The Magpies are fighting to keep hold of Martin Dubravka after he received a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab. Sources in the Middle East claim the Slovakian has agreed personal terms.

Dubravka is out of contract in the summer but Newcastle hope to convince him to stay after holding talks over a potential agreement, whether that be a contract extension or another incentive.

The 35-year-old is currently the club’s No.1 with Nick Pope sidelined until the middle of January with a knee injury. Since coming into the team last month, Dubravka has won all seven of his games and kept five clean sheets in the process.

Howe said: “I think Martin has been in a difficult situation, like any player that is coming out of contract in the summer. Always with any player I’ve worked with, there is always that feeling of doubt. “He will naturally want some conclusions in his future, whether that’s a new contract with us or whatever the outcome.

“But he’s certainly playing very well and I’ve been really pleased with him. I think he has more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Against Arsenal I thought he was very good so hopefully, we can come to some sort of agreement with him.”

Dubravka, whilst he has been the closest to leaving, isn’t the only player linked with leaving St James’ Park this month.

Miguel Almiron is the subject of interest from MLS side Charlotte FC, as well as a host of European clubs. Matt Targett has reportedly attracted interest from Frankfurt and Anderlecht, while Kieran Trippier’s future is still far from uncertain.

But when asked outgoings, Howe said: “I think I said right at the start of the talk on January that we didn’t really want to focus on any outgoings, or anyone that we didn’t want to leave or have to lose due to other reasons.

“It is not a month for me to destabilise anything, it is to try and keep the harmony of the group. The feeling in the group is really strong at the moment, as you can imagine.

“For us it’s about, during a busy spell of fixtures, to try and win as many games as we can and continue that form and see where we end up.”

Howe’s side have won seven games on the spin, lifting them to fifth in the Premier League table as well as putting them 90 minutes away from a Carabao Cup final. United welcome League Two side Bromley to St James’ Park in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, where wholesale changes are expected.