'Hopefully' - Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United talks after personal terms agreed claim

The Slovakian has an offer on the table from Al Shabab but the Magpies don’t want to let him go. Dubravka is out of contract at the end of the campaign and has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Saudi Pro League side.

United boss Eddie Howe explained: “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 played 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.

“The right decision will be the right decision, that’s not just for us but Martin as well. As I said the other day, there are always lots of different sides to a situation, it is never as clear as the outside people may think.

“Martin is performing really well, he is a model professional and we want to keep him. He’s never said he wants to leave so hopefully we can find the right conclusion.”

When asked if Dubrvaka had been offered a new contract, Howe replied: “I’m not totally update to date with everything, so I don’t want to tell you any lies. But talks are definitely outgoing.”

Dubravka has a 100% win record since coming in for the injured Nick Pope last month. Of those seven victories, the 35-year-old has kept five clean sheets. Pope is due to return before the end of the month.

“Martin has never said he’s wanted to leave and he’s been a very, very good professional for us,” Howe added. “He’s come into the team and compliment to him because it’s difficult for a goalkeeper when Nick was playing and Martin obviously wasn’t and he’s waiting for his chance, you have to stay ready, you have to stay focused as you never know when that chance is coming.

“It came and he was able to come straight into the team and perform, and that’s down to his training levels, which have always been very high. He’s a whole-hearted, whatever the whether he’s there. I know how much Newcastle means to him, you can see that emotionally, he’s very invested and of course all those things will play a part in his decision-making and our decision making and hopefully there is a successful outcome in the end.

“The team is in a good moment, Martin is in a good moment and he will know he has been an important part of that. I don’t think there has been any part of this that has been negative, the main focus really is on Martin’s future, that’s the area we need to clear up as a football club with just six months left on his contract, and I think that will be the important thing for Martin.”