FACE OF THE TOON
UNITED GOALKEEPER DUBRAVKA CAN BE THE ‘SYMBOL OF THE NEW AND RICH NEWCASTLE UNITED’ SAYS HIS AGENT
MARTIN Dubravka’s agent Pavel Zika believes the Slovakia international goalkeeper can be the “symbol of the new and rich Newcastle United”.
Dubravka has arguably been Newcastle’s most important player during his two and a half years at the club and has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers since Rafa Benitez plucked him from the relative obscurity of the Czech league.
The 31-year-old is immensely popular in the dressing room and has become one of the club’s leaders on the field.
Therefore, it is little surprise that he has been linked with some of the top clubs in Europe, with both Juventus and PSG reported to have shown interest last summer.
And speaking to the Slovakian media, Dubravka’s agent Pavel Zika has revealed there has also been “real interest” from Bayern Munich and the “best Spanish clubs” as well.
Nonetheless, Zika insists such interest is “normal,” given Dubravka’s form for Newcastle, and he has revealed he has no intention of leaving Tyneside.
In fact, Zika believes Dubravka can be the “face” of the club, should the prospective Saudi-backed takeover be approved by the Premier League.
“Today Martin Dubravka is one of the best goalkeepers in England, maybe the best,” Zika told Slovakian news outlet Sport.SME.
“Dubravka has the quality to play anywhere based on his performances for his current club and national team. This is also confirmed by various statistics and expert opinions. It’s only natural that big clubs ask for Dubravka.
“There is speculation in various media. However, neither I nor my sons [working together in the agency] are ones who would say something first. We do not do promotion. We only answer media questions.
“Martin deserves a lot of credit. World-class clubs show interest in him. Martin is a great person as well.
“Others have mentioned Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and the best Spanish clubs, based on real interest.
“When big clubs are at the stage of searching for the right goalkeeper, it is normal that they mention Dubravka – but that doesn’t mean he’s moving.
“Martin is happy in Newcastle. Martin can be a symbol of the new and rich Newcastle.”