Newcastle United transfer request set for green light after St James' Park statement

This time last week, everything pointed towards a Dubravka exit. Reports in Saudi Arabia were strong, Arsenal would be his farewell appearance they said. Al Shabab was his imminent destination.

But the feeling now is the Slovakian is going nowhere this month.

Dubravka, of course, is still under contract until June, so United were well within their right to keep him regardless. But Eddie Howe & Co were keen to honour the player’s wishes so If he wanted to go, they wouldn’t stand in his way.

A month ago, it might have felt somewhat easy to walk away. But after eight appearances, eight wins and a potential Carabao Cup final on the horizon, a goodbye has become harder and harder.

Not just that, but the supporters have almost certainly played their part too. At the Emirates, he was serenaded at full-time. And at St James’ Park on Sunday, a loud chorus of ‘oh Martin Dubravka’ then broke into ‘Martin Dubravka, we want you to stay”.

Their and Howe’s wish is set to be granted. From the head coach’s press meetings on Friday and yesterday, there was an air of confidence.

“We've had discussions, of course, about his future but I think we're very relaxed,” said Howe. “I said earlier, he never said he wanted to leave. I think he's enjoying playing and he's enjoying the moment the team's in so I don't expect any major announcement.

“We hope that everything will die down and now he's very much part of our future.”

An agreement between Newcastle and Dubravka doesn’t necessarily mean a new contract, although Howe admitted it is a possibility. It is ultimately about finding “a solution that keeps him happy”. And right now, you suspect it’s the happiest Dubravka has felt in a long time.