'Hopefully' - Newcastle United contract talks active after personal terms agreed claim
Martin Dubravka won’t be leaving Newcastle United during the January transfer window, Eddie Howe has confirmed.
And the Magpies’ head coach has also revealed talks are ongoing over a new contract, which he hopes will be concluded swiftly with the goalkeeper’s current deal expiring this summer.
At the beginning of the month, the Slovakian was expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab after reportedly agreeing personal terms and appeared to bid farewell to Newcastle fans after the 2-0 win at Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
But having started the last 11 games, 10 of which have ended in wins, Dubravka has opted to stay put following talks with Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell.
“Martin won’t leave,” Howe confirmed ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Fulham. “We’re in discussions with Martin over a new contract, and hopefully there’ll be a swift conclusion there.”
Dubravka started last weekend’s 3-1 win at Southampton and is expected to remain in net tomorrow, despite Nick Pope returning from his knee injury.
“He hasn’t sought any certainties on his place, or anything beyond trying to stay in the team and do well,” Howe added.
“I understand the question and the intrigue in trying to get me to name a number one but I've always said, and even when Nick was playing regularly in goal, these things are always there to be changed by the performance of the players.
“You never really want to say, well, that's the player that plays in that position all the time. You want them to be challenged and asked questions by the players around them.
“We've got healthy competition in there. We've got healthy competition in our backline and hopefully that will serve us well.”