Howe reveals Paul Mitchell talks as Toon boss hopes for switch U-turn

It’s been some month for Martin Dubravka, who will finish his time on Tyneside on one almighty excessive ought to he depart for Saudi Arabia within the coming days.

Since stepping in for Nick Pope over the previous seven video games, he’s helped us to seven wins, conceding simply twice and protecting 5 clear sheets within the course of.

The newest shutout got here in Tuesday night time’s huge 2-0 win at Arsenal within the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, however will or not it’s his final for our £4m cut price Benitez signed again in 2018?

Talking after the sport, Eddie Howe was requested if that was Martin Dubravka’s last recreation for the membership after the 35-year-old bought emotional in entrance of the 6,000 away followers after the full-time whistle.

Saudi membership Al-Shaba are regarded as closing in on a deal, in keeping with experiences within the Center-East and a few nearer to dwelling, but Howe stays eager to see the Slovakian signal a brand new contract and revealed that he’ll be chatting with sporting director Paul Mitchell about his future.

Howe’s reply was telling when requested if he’s pushing for an extension, saying “that might be my want,” suggesting he hopes to see the goalkeeper signal a brand new deal, not depart for the Saudi Professional League.

He added, “I definitely hope so” when requested if Dubravka will nonetheless be right here for the second leg. Nevertheless, it does really feel just like the membership’s ‘enterprise resolution’ might be to obtain a payment now and permit him to safe a giant pay day in Saudi, against shedding him on a free this summer season.

Requested for his ideas on the state of affairs, Howe added: “I’ve bought nothing so as to add on that. With Martin, we’ve been getting ready for this recreation, and we’ve had lots of video games in fast succession, so I’ve not spoken to anyone about that.

“He’s taking part in very, very nicely, and positively from my facet, I wouldn’t need to lose him in any respect. However I genuinely know nothing. I’ve been head down, into the sport. I’m positive I’ll converse to Paul (Mitchell,) at some stage.”

Howe could make one final push to maintain him on the membership if a brand new deal might be agreed, but it surely appears like he’s nearly gone.

Not solely did we see what appeared like an emotional wave goodbye to Newcastle followers final night time, there was this Tuesday night time replace from switch journalist Ben Jacobs:

‘Martin Dubravka to Al-Shabab near a achieved deal. Now a verbal settlement in place with the keeper. Nothing signed, and #NUFC may but attempt to change Dubravka’s thoughts given Eddie Howe charges him extremely, however Al-Shabab assured the transfer might be formalised quickly.’

He’s 35, out of contract in the summertime and might be receiving one final huge pay-day in Saudi. Not solely that, it’s possible he reverts to a back-up position as soon as Nick Pope is match once more.

For Newcastle, it’s our final probability to obtain a good payment if he’s not signing a brand new deal and in any other case as a consequence of depart on a free this summer season – and we MUST grow to be higher sellers inside the world of PSR.

With all that in thoughts, it looks like he’s off – except Howe’s talks with Mitchell do result in an unlikely U-turn!