Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is hopeful that the future of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will be resolved as soon as possible and that an "agreement" between all parties can be reached.
The 35-year-old is facing an uncertain future at St James' Park, as his contract is due to expire in six months' time.
Dubravka has been with the Magpies since January 2018 and has made a total of 171 appearances across all competitions, but he has had to play second fiddle to first-choice shot-stopper Nick Pope since his arrival at the club in 2022.
The Slovakia international, who went on loan to Manchester United for the second half of the 2022-23 season, has struggled for game time this term, but he has started each of Newcastle's last seven matches in all competitions in the absence of the injured Pope, winning all seven and keeping five clean sheets.
Dubravka was a standout performer in Newcastle's 2-0 win at Arsenal in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie on Tuesday, and he was seen in tears after the match as he appeared to wave goodbye to the travelling Magpies supporters.
Recent reports claim that Dubravka has received a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab and it is understood that the goalkeeper is leaning towards making the move to the Middle East.
© Imago
Will Dubravka leave Newcastle in January?
However, Howe has confirmed that Dubravka has never asked to leave Newcastle and has admitted that he wants to retain the services of the goalkeeper.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Newcastle's FA Cup third-round tie with Bromley on Sunday, Howe said: "I think [Dubravka] has been in a difficult position with his contract being up in the summer.
"There is that doubt and he will naturally want some conclusion to his future. Whatever the outcome, he has more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Hopefully, we can come to some sort of agreement with him."
Howe added: "Martin has never said he wants to leave. He has been a very good professional and it's a credit to him because it was difficult when Nick Pope was in the team, but he was ready to come in and perform.
"That's down to how hard he trains and you can see how much Newcastle means to him. He is very invested. I think the right decision will be the right decision - not just for us but for Martin as well.
"Martin is performing really well and we want to keep him. He's never said he wants to leave and hopefully we can resolve things."
Although Pope is "not far away" from returning from a knee injury, Dubravka is expected to start for Newcastle in their FA Cup home tie with League Two side Bromley.
Oliver Thomas
