Newcastle United: Howe Eager to Retain Dubravka's Services

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe hopes to keep goalkeeper Martin Dubravka at the club beyond the January transfer window.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has expressed his desire to retain the services of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka beyond the January transfer window. Dubravka, 35, has been in impressive form for the Magpies, but his future at St James' Park is uncertain as he enters the final six months of his contract.

The Slovakia international has been heavily linked with a potential move to Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab. However, Howe is eager to keep Dubravka at Newcastle and is hopeful that the goalkeeper will choose to stay with the club.

Martin Dubravka has been impressive in goal for Newcastle United, conceding just two goals in seven games across all competitions. All of these appearances have resulted in victories for the Magpies, with Dubravka deputising for the injured Nick Pope. Newcastle is currently closing in on a spot in the English League Cup final and sits fifth in the Premier League table.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised Dubravka's performances and acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeper's future. “Martin's been in a difficult situation,” Howe said on Friday. “Like any player that is coming out of contract in the summer, with every player that I've ever worked with, there's always that feeling of doubt.” Dubravka's contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and Howe recognises the need for clarity on the player's future.

Howe expressed his desire to retain Dubravka's services, highlighting the goalkeeper's crucial contributions to the team's recent success. “He will naturally want some conclusion to his future, whether that's a new contract with us, whatever the outcome,” Howe noted. “But he's certainly played very well and I've been really pleased with him. He's more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Again against Arsenal (a 2-0 win in the first leg of a League Cup semi-final), I thought he was very, very good, so hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement with him.”

Martin Dubravka was visibly emotional following Newcastle's match against Arsenal on Tuesday, leading many to speculate that it might be his farewell appearance for the club. Dubravka has been with Newcastle since January 2018, initially joining on loan under former manager Rafael Benitez. Although he has primarily served as a backup to England international Nick Pope over the past two and a half years, Dubravka has recently demonstrated his value to the team.

Eddie Howe speaks to the media ahead of Sunday's visit of Bromley in the third round of the FA Cup 🎙️

You can watch today's press conference as live on the Official Newcastle United App now 📲 pic.twitter.com/IZFaPjJ0Ci

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 10, 2025

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe acknowledged Dubravka's emotional investment in the club and the significance of his decision. “I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that emotionally, he's very invested,” Howe said. The manager recognised that Dubravka's feelings for the club would play a role in his decision-making, as well as the club's own decision-making process. Howe expressed his hope for a successful outcome, saying, “Of course, all those things will be playing a part in his decision-making and our decision-making and hopefully there's a successful outcome at the end.”

Howe must now decide whether to rest Dubravka for Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Bromley. Meanwhile, speculation surrounding Dubravka's potential departure has led to links with Burnley's England under-21 international James Trafford. When asked about his goalkeeping situation, Howe refused to confirm whether Nick Pope, who has returned to training, remained his first-choice goalkeeper. “It's always in a state of flux,” Howe explained. “It's always changing and moving because that's down to the player's performances.”