Newcastle United now offer another player a new contract as well as Fabian Schar

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The Martin Dubravka situation at Newcastle United is rather fascinating.

The goalkeeper had been expected to leave Newcastle after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg clash with Arsenal in a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

Still, Dubravka remains on Tyneside, having impressed since stepping in for Nick Pope.

Pope’s injury at Brentford saw the 35-year-old brought back into the side and things have gone very well since.

Eddie Howe’s side have won their last seven games with Dubravka in goal and that move to Al-Shabab is believed to be off. For now.

Indeed, Newcastle want to keep Dubravka at the club until at least the end of the season and some fresh insight in regards to his immediate future at St James’ Park has now emerged.

Newcastle United make fresh attempt to keep Martin Dubravka

According to The Chronicle, Dubravka is set to learn about his next move rather imminently.

Newcastle are said to have offered him a new contract, albeit it remains to be seen if that is just a pay rise on his current deal (which expires at the end of the season) or longer in length.

The report suggests sources in Saudi claim the ‘keeper has been handed a 48-hour timeframe to make his decision on whether he wants to move there in January before Al-Shabab move onto other targets.

It’s understood Dubravka wants assurances he can fight Pope for the No.1 spot when he does return from injury.

Newcastle will move for a new goalkeeper in 2025

Keeping Dubravka for the rest of the season seems wise, if a deal can be struck. Quite why Newcastle would weaken themselves during such a crucial period remains to be seen, even if the removal of his wages might help the club’s balance sheet.

However, staying for anything beyond that seems unlikely.

Newcastle are reportedly almost certainly going to move for James Trafford in 2025, such is their long-standing interest in the Burnley goalkeeper.

In an ideal world, Dubravka would stay this season and leave in the summer.