Newcastle United could face a fight to keep Martin Dubravka with a warning that several Premier League clubs would be more than willing to take the goalkeeper. Dubravka started the first game of the season - the two-nil victory over Nottingham Forest - on the bench with new signing Nick Pope starting in goal.
Dubravka since signing for Newcastle in 2018 has made 130 appearances for the Magpies and was the first choice for keeper unless injured. Yet the arrival of Pope this summer has left question marks over Dubravka’s future.
At 33, it is unclear whether Dubravka would be willing to stay at Newcastle and fight for his place in the team or whether he will leave in search of first-team football. In an ideal world, Toon boss Eddie Howe would keep Dubravka and have two quality keepers within his ranks.
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Speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, our Newcastle United editor Aaron Stokes believes Dubravka, if he wanted a move away, would have suitors in the Premier League. Assessing Howe’s decision to pick Pope over Dubravka, Stokes said: “The main thing to take away from him from the game against Nottingham Forest is the fact that he was given the nod.
“We've heard a lot about Dubravka this summer with agents coming out and saying ‘well, if he's not playing he's going.’ I do think it’ll be hard for Dubravka to find his way back in now.
“If Howe has chosen Pope, it's because he wants Pope to be his number one for the foreseeable. Now it depends if Dubravka is happy to sit on the bench and fight for his chance, or does he want first team football elsewhere, because a lot of Premier League clubs would snap your hand off for Dubravka.”
With Newcastle interested in Leicester City’s James Maddison, it has been rumoured that a deal could be structured that sees Dubravka go to the King Power to replace Kasper Schmeichel who has left to join Nice. But having seen the Newcastle United squad down the years lacking quality competition in most areas of the squad, Howe and Toon fans alike will be hoping to hold onto the goalkeeper.
Talking after the Forest game about the goalkeeping department, Howe told reporters: “It was a very difficult decision. I feel I’ve got three quality keepers to pick from with Karl, Nick and Martin
"Last season, Martin was excellent, and my decision to pick Nick certainly wasn’t a reflection on him, his abilities or my thoughts on him. "I thought Nick was excellent.
"You could see his ability to come and collect crosses, and I thought he commanded his box very well. He didn’t have a lot to do with his hands, and that’s a good sign. There’s competition for places in that position, and that strength will help us through the season."
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