Eddie Howe insists he does not know anything about Martin Dubravka’s transfer future amid links with a move to Manchester United.
What’s the latest Newcastle United transfer news?
While much of the attention is naturally focused around Alexander Isak as the Sweden international closes in on a record-breaking move to St James’ Park, Dubravka’s future is another big story.
So influential on Tyneside for so long, the 33-year-old has reportedly been the subject of a loan offer from Old Trafford, one that could potentially include an option to buy for around £5m.
With Nick Pope impressing during the early days of his Newcastle career, Dubravka’s chances of regular first-team football seem bleak. Indeed, his agent has already hinted at an exit this summer, and a move to Manchester at this stage of his career would surely be tempting, particularly amid the doubts over David de Gea.
What did Howe say about Dubravka’s future?
Speaking after Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup win over Tranmere, Howe stressed Dubravka missed the game only a result of feeling ill and insisted he had heard nothing of a potential move away.
“He was feeling a little bit unwell,” he said (via the Shields Gazette).
“That’s it. In terms of anything (else) with Martin, I don’t know about that.”
Is this good business for Newcastle?
Ideally of course, Howe would have the strongest squad available to him this season, which would surely mean one of Karl Darlow or Mark Gillespie leaving instead of Dubravka. Darlow, despite some impressive performances under Steve Bruce, struggled to convince last season and Gillespie remains only a back-up option, while Dubravka is a proven player at the top level.
Still, you’d have to say getting as much as £5m for a 33-year-old only purchased for a reported £4m after already having secured his long-term replacement would represent good business for the club.
With neither Darlow or Gillespie likely to command anything close to that fee, the Slovakian was the most sellable asset in the goalkeeping department. Given Pope was thought to have cost £12m, to potentially recoup almost half of that for a player forced out of the starting eleven is excellent value.
