United start talks over Dubravka deal
NEWCASTLE United have started talks with Martin Dubravka over a new deal – but the goalkeeper is still interesting Italian giants Juventus plus other Premier League rivals.
Dubravka is currently tied down to Newcastle until 2022 but a new improved deal could be on the table.
However, the former Sparta Prague shop-stopper’s success in England has earned him a long list of admirers, with rumours of foreign interest spreading in the Czech media.
Dubravka’s agent Pavel Zika said: “We can confirm Martin is on the Juventus scout department’s list of long-term players.
“However, we must mention it is not only monitored by Pavel Nedved’s Juventus but there are also Premier League clubs.
“Our personal tip with my brother is that Martin stays in England.
“Our effort, but also Newcastle’s endeavour, is to negotiate a new contract at the end of this season as Martin came to Newcastle as a virtually unknown
Czech league player but quickly became a major player of the entire team and already has an excellent reputation throughout the English league.
“So we are gradually starting to negotiate an improved contract but of course, on the other hand, we record interest from a number of other clubs in the English league. “Martin is in agreement our goal is to prove as much as possible in England.” There is also German interest in the 30-year-old but Zika hinted Dubravka would rather stay in England – with big Premier League clubs supposedly circling.
He added: “Even though interest in Martin from one of the top German Bundesliga clubs has been eminent over time, Martin has told us he does not feel his career is going to move towards Germany.
“He would like to continue in England, which is the cradle of football and in which goalkeepers are historically privileged.
“Recently, we have recorded interest in even the biggest clubs from the English league, i.e. clubs going for the title and European Cups, and if Martin is going to do everything like now we believe there may be a very interesting top-club offer for him.”