An update has emerged regarding interest in Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in the final few days of the summer transfer window…
What’s the talk?
Journalist Dean Jones has confirmed that Manchester United have made a firm approach to bring the Slovakia international to Old Trafford before next week’s deadline.
He told GIVEMESPORT: “That offer has been made. I think United have tempered their expectations here of who’s going to actually come in at this stage of the transfer window, knowing that David De Gea’s spot is not particularly up for grabs.”
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the two Premier League clubs are in negotiations over a deal and that the player would be interested in making it happen.
He tweeted: “Martin Dúbravka is prepared to agree on personal terms with Manchester United, not an issue – he’s very keen on the move. Up to the two clubs now, talks ongoing. #MUFC Loan with £5m buy option clause not mandatory now discussed. Kevin Trapp deal, 100% off.”
Ashworth risks Newcastle blunder
Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth must now avoid a big blunder in the final days of the transfer, window as sanctioning an exit for Dubravka would be a big loss for the squad.
The 33-year-old has been demoted to being the club’s second-choice option between the sticks this season, but that is still an important position for Eddie Howe.
It only takes one injury or suspension for him to be called upon in a vital position, and that is why it is crucial to have such a reliable player as a backup to Nick Pope.
Steve Bruce found that out the hard way last term as Karl Darlow was pressed into action in the top flight and struggled badly. The former Nottingham Forest man made eight appearances in the league and averaged a dismal SofaScore rating of 6.47, making one error leading to a goal and another leading to a penalty.
In that time, he failed to keep a single clean sheet and had a save success rate of 62% as Newcastle conceded 15 goals in those eight matches.
Dubravka then came back into the team and enjoyed a solid campaign under Howe. He averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.88 and saved 68% of the shots against him, keeping eight clean sheets in 26 matches.
This came after he averaged a rating of 6.99 in 2020/21 and saved 70% of the shots that he faced. He did not make a single error leading to a goal or penalty in either of those campaigns, which shows that he is a reliable pair of hands in goal.
Therefore, the departure of the 33-year-old – who Paul Robinson previously dubbed an “inspirational signing” – would be a huge downgrade to Newcastle’s goalkeeping department on a matchday.
He has proven himself to be a better option than Darlow, whose statistics suggest that he was a liability last term, and that is why it would be a blunder to end up with the Englishman deputising for Pope this season.
Ashworth must now fight to keep hold of the Slovakian shot-stopper to avoid a situation arising where Newcastle lose Pope to injury and do not have quality cover ready to come in.
