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Newcastle United are on the verge of parting ways with veteran goalkeeper Martin Dubravka as the club look to improve their squad during the January transfer window.
The 35-year-old, who has served as a reliable backup to first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope, is set to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab.
According to reports from Saudi edition of Asharq Al-Awsatthe transfer has been agreed and Dubravka is expected to complete the transfer after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Tuesday night. The deal, which was initially planned for earlier in the window, has been postponed in order for the experienced stopper to be available for this important game.
Dubravka’s departure will mark the end of an unforgettable tenure at the Park of St. Since joining the Magpies from Sparta Prague in January 2018, initially on loan, the goalkeeper has been a key figure for the club.
Dubravka made 130 appearances at the club and earned praise for his performances. He played in seven games in all competitions this season, securing five clean sheets and providing valuable experience to the team.
A move to Al-Shabab will give Dubravka a chance for more regular first-team action, something that may have been limited at Newcastle due to Pope’s firm hold on the No. 1 spot. For Newcastle, the deal allows the club to recalibrate their squad and generate much-needed funds.
Miguel Almiron and Kieran Trippier were also expected to leave Newcastle
Dubravka is not the only player who should leave Newcastle in January. As part of its strategy to comply with profit and sustainability rules, the club aims to offload several players. These strict financial regulations have limited Newcastle’s spending in the summer transfer window, and to avoid similar restrictions, the club is focused on generating funds through player sales.
Fan favorite Miguel Almiron is expected to be sold to MLS Charlotte FC, who have been after him for a long time. The latest reports suggest the club have made a £5million bid for him.
Almiron has been a key contributor to Newcastle’s success, but with the club in need of financial flexibility, a move to the United States seems inevitable.
The Newcastle board are reportedly also looking to get rid of Kieran Trippier, though manager Eddie Howe reportedly disagrees with them since he still considers him an important player.
