"If I can say something else for Martin: he wants to play. Either in Newcastle or somewhere else. He doesn't just want to cover someone's back, but he clearly wants to be in goal."
Martin Dubravka 's agent made a pretty big call on his client's future back in June as Newcastle United were preparing to unveil Nick Pope as their latest addition on Tyneside. Less than three months later, it looks like the England goalkeeper has fully grasped the No 1 jersey at Newcastle and doesn't plan to give it back to Dubravka any time soon.
The Slovakian stopper could be coming to a crossroads in his Magpies career. Does he stay and fight to reclaim his place, hoping for an opportunity may fall his way? Or he does he decide a move elsewhere would benefit his career at the age of 33?
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A number of Premier League clubs would snap your hand off for a player of Dubravka's quality as their out-and-out goalkeeper. The player's agent, David Zik, insists English clubs have already made their enquiries.
Zik, speaking in Slovakia earlier this summer, was asked if any of Newcastle's top-flight rivals are interested in the shot-stopper and said: "Yes, there are. But I really can't be more specific at this point."
Newcastle's aim in this summer's window is to ensure Eddie Howe has strength in depth. To improve the first-team and the raise the level of the substitutes coming off the bench.
Dubravka is a fantastic option to have on the bench. Howe recently admitted, however, that even though he wants to keep four senior goalkeepers at the club beyond the summer, he won't stand in their way if one seeks an exit.
“I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to leave, but I’m well aware that four (keepers) is a difficult number to carry,” said Howe. “My wish would be to do that, but obviously we’ve got to think of the players as well. Hopefully, we’ll make the right decision.”
It's a big week for Dubravka and it will be telling to see whether he chooses to remain on Tyneside as a backup or asks to leave Newcastle before September's transfer deadline. The Magpies favourite may well get a chance to remind Howe of his worth in the clash against Tranmere on Wednesday evening.
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