£4m player has been expected to leave Newcastle United, but now he could stay put after a twist

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Newcastle United’s goalkeeper situation is incredibly convoluted, and it might not even end with James Trafford arriving at St James’ Park.

James Trafford has been Newcastle United’s top goalkeeper target for more than 12 months now. There has been an expectation that he will arrive at St James’ Park and battle Nick Pope for a place in the starting XI.

However, that move is suddenly in doubt as Manchester City enter the conversation. Trafford could now join Manchester City, which would represent another embarrassing transfer blow for Eddie Howe.

The 22-year-old is a long-term target who Newcastle are suddenly at risk of missing out on, and that could have ramifications for one man who is already at St James’ Park.

• Who is James Trafford? Meet the record-breaking goalkeeper close to Newcastle United transfer

Martin Dubravka could stay at Newcastle United

It was recently reported that Martin Dubravka is expected to leave Newcastle United.

However, that was under the assumption that Trafford would become a Toon player and force the Slovakian to slip down the pecking order.

According to the Athletic, there are no guarantees that Newcastle will sign a different goalkeeper if they miss out on Trafford.

In turn, that could result in Dubravka staying put. It would represent quite the twist, seven years after permanently joining the Magpies from Sparta Prague for £4million.

• Who is Martin Dubravka? Newcastle United’s adored long-serving goalkeeper

Who is Newcastle United’s longest-serving player?

After initially joining on loan in January 2018, Dubravka has been a Newcastle United player for seven-and-a-half seasons. The 36-year-old is one of the Magpies’ longest-serving players, but does not take top spot.

Instead, that honour belongs to club captain Jamaal Lascelles. He officially signed for Newcastle United in August 2014, but was immediately loaned back to Nottingham Forest.

Lascelles has been a Newcastle United first-team player ever since returning from that loan spell in the summer of 2015. In fact, it was only 12 months later that he was given the captain’s armband by Rafa Benitez.

He is still part of the leadership group at St James’ Park, with Lascelles massively respected behind the scenes. He remains the club captain, while Bruno Guimaraes wears the armband on the pitch.