Eddie Howe masterclass as report shares what Martin Dubravka did privately before Newcastle United U-turn

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Newcastle United needs to sell players to avoid a Premier League points deduction.

The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules have been a problem for many Premier League clubs and Newcastle are no exception to that. The Magpies risked a points deduction last summer after being around £60m over budget.

To balance the books, Newcastle sold Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton. Toon boss Eddie Howe was reluctant to sell the pair, but ultimately it was something the club needed to do.

In January, Newcastle must sell before they can buy. There is no shortage of interest in their players.

Miguel Almiron is set to leave Newcastle to sign for Atlanta United, his former club. The Magpies will pocket around £10m from the deal.

Lloyd Kelly has been subject to offers from around Europe. Juventus and Fenerbahce both made approaches for Kelly which were knocked back by Newcastle chiefs.

Amidst talk of departures, there was another Newcastle man who nearly moved away from Tyneside. A recent report has said how close it was.

Martin Dubravka was ready to leave Newcastle for Saudi

Martin Dubravka’s transfer saga looks to have finally cooled down. Dubravka was set to leave Newcastle for Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab in January, but a report on Monday has now stated that Howe has managed to convince the Slovakian to stay at the club.

Dubravka had an emotional moment with Newcastle fans after the Magpies’ win against Arsenal earlier in January. Many fans believed that he was taking the time to bid the fans farewell.

According to The Daily Mail, Dubravka will now see out the season and fight for the No 1 spot with Nick Pope who is in line for a return from injury against Southampton on Saturday.

It is believed that Dubravka wanted assurances from Newcastle that he would be able to compete for a place in the starting XI rather than be thrown back on the bench following Pope’s return.

The report suggests that Dubravka had already begun boxing up and removing items from his home and said goodbye to his neighbours ahead of the move away from St James’ Park.

The club decided that his transfer made very little sense and would not help them in their PSR situation.

• READ MORE: All of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United signings, ranked

Dubravka is still set to leave Newcastle

While Dubravka may be staying for the immediate future, there is no guarantee that he will be a Newcastle player next season.

Dubravka’s contract is up at the end of the season, but there has been no indication that the 36-year-old will sign a new deal before then.

Newcastle want to sign a new goalkeeper with Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy also out of contract in the summer. The Magpies have targeted LOSC Lille shot-stopper Lucas Chevalier who is also wanted by PSG.

Elsewhere, James Trafford is still on Newcastle’s radar, especially after saving two penalties against local rivals Sunderland.

Pope is still the favoured first-choice goalkeeper, but at 32, Howe will be eager to sign someone younger who can play between the sticks for many years.