Newcastle United agreed personal terms with 'top' player as January deal edges closes

The Slovakian is still likely to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al Shabab, despite head coach Eddie Howe publicly expressing his desire to keep him. Dubravka has a 100% win record since replacing the injured Nick Pope last month, with seven of those victories ending in five clean sheets.

But his situation has been complicated by the fact he is out of contract in the summer. With a lucrative offer on the table from the Middle East, the 35-year-old appeared to bid farewell to supporters after Tuesday night’s 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win at Arsenal.

With Pope expected to return from his knee injury next week and Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy providing back-up, United are well-stocked in the goalkeeping department if or more likely when Dubravka departs.

It is, however, no secret that Howe and Newcastle think highly of Trafford. Indeed, scouts were in attendance for his most recent visit to the North East - a goalless draw at Middlesbrough last month. The Magpies had a £16million bid rejected by the Clarets in June. It’s understood Trafford had agreed personal terms over a move but his £20m price tag wasn’t met.

Scott Parker’s side are braced for another approach from Newcastle, and Dubravka’s departure could accelerate that. But they may have a better chance of landing in the summer. At the moment, Burnley are locked in a Championship promotion battle and Parker recently played down the possibility of the 22-year-old England youth international leaving mid-season.

“I’ve said it before, Traffs had a tough time last year but this is the best place for him to be,” said the former Newcastle captain. You’re seeing every bit of a young keeper in development who needs games and needs experience. He’s having a very, very good season and he’s learning as he goes along, which is a huge positive for him.”

“Top keepers, you normally judge them on big moments,” Parker added. “He didn’t have a lot to do against Watford, especially in the first-half, but you judge a keeper when he has to pull off saves in the big moments and Traffs, at this moment in time, when he’s called upon seems to be able to keep it out of the net. That’s a sign of a top keeper, which he is.”