Eddie Howe delivers update on Martin Dubravka’s future after the Magpies goalkeeper received a lucrative offer to move to Saudi Arabia this month

Eddie Howe says he is ‘hopeful’ Newcastle can reach an agreement to keep Martin Dubravka at the club beyond January.

Mail Sport reported on Thursday that Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell would attempt to persuade the Slovakian to stay. He has a lucrative offer on the table from Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab and, with six months left on his contract, it is thought he wants to go. He appeared to wave a tearful goodbye to supporters following Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Arsenal.

But given the knee injury to No.1 Nick Pope – he is due to return later this month – and Dubravka’s excellent form during a seven-match winning run, the club see no logic in letting him leave now, especially as it would not impact significantly on their PSR situation.

Howe says talks are ongoing with the 35-year-old and we understand that, while Dubravka does not necessarily want a contract extension, improved terms between now and the end of the season could be an option.

‘I think Martin’s been in a difficult situation,’ said Howe. ‘Like any player that is coming out of contract in the summer, there’s always that feeling of doubt. He will naturally want some conclusion to his future, whether that’s a new contract with us, whatever the outcome. But he’s certainly played very well and I’ve been really pleased with him. We want to keep him.

‘He’s more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Again against Arsenal, I thought he was very, very good, so hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement with him.’

Eddie Howe is keen to keep him, and will try to persuade the goalkeeper to remain at Newcastle

Dubravka had appeared to wave a tearful goodbye to Newcastle fans after Tuesday’s win at Arsenal

Howe also believes that the team’s current situation – fifth in the table and one tie away from a Carabao Cup final – will help the club in keeping Dubravka on Tyneside.

‘I think it will, of course,’ he said. ‘The team is in a good moment and Martin is in a good moment. He will know he has been an important part of that. I don’t think there’s been any part of this that has been negative. The main focus is on Martin’s future. That is the area that we, as a football club, need to clear up, with just six months left on his contract. That will be the important thing for Martin.

‘I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that emotionally, he’s very invested. All those things will be playing a part in his decision-making and our decision-making – and hopefully there’s a successful outcome at the end.’

Howe was asked if, failing that, could he dispatch his giant centre-back pairing of Sven Botman and Dan Burn to persuade Dubravka to stay?

‘We will do whatever it takes!’ he said, with a smile.

Meanwhile, as reported by Mail Sport’s Newcastle Confidential column on Thursday, Howe confirmed that star striker Alexander Isak is fine after suffering a hamstring scare at Arsenal. He will, though, be rested for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at home to Bromley.