Aniket Rai
Transfer News: Manchester United close to signing Martin Dubravka on loan from Newcastle
Manchester United are close to signing Martin Dubravka on a loan deal from Newcastle United, according to Laurie Whitwell of the Athletic (Subscription Required).
The 33-year-old PL star is below Nick Pope in the pecking order at St. James’ Park, but their manager Eddie Howe would still be sad to see the modern-day Newcastle icon leave the club. He said recently:
“I don’t think anything is concluded as I sit here now. From my perspective I’m sad if Martin does leave, I’ll be sad to see him go. Certainly it’s not something we wanted as a football club but we understand that there’s always two sides to every story.”
Since moving to the Toons on an initial loan deal from Sparta Prague in the winter transfer market of the 2017/18 season, Dubravka has played 130 times for them.
Smart buy from Man United
Now 33 and competing with former Burnley star Pope, it was unlikely he would have had a starring role for Newcastle this season.
In that regard, it is arguably a good prospect for him to battle David de Gea for a place in the Manchester United starting XI. 36-year-old Tom Heaton is expected to be the club’s third-choice goalie this season.
United would have to buy Dubravka permanently for £6million if he starts a certain percentage of Premier League games this season. The exact number isn’t known, but it is said to be a significant amount of starts.
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That is not a shabby amount to pay for a tried and tested PL goalkeeper, but by next summer, Dean Henderson is expected to return from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest. The Englishman has headed out on a temporary basis this season in order to get some minutes under his belt with the Tricky Trees.
