Dubravka set for talks on his United future

MARTIN Dubravka will hold talks with Newcastle United in the coming days after completing his loan spell from Sparta Prague.

The Slovakian international pulled out all of the stops to keep Chelsea at bay with two stunning saves to deny Olivier Giroud and Ross Barkley and contribute to a 3-0 win against the 2017 Premier League champions.

Dubravka’s stint on loan has included big wins over Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal with the player a real fan favourite already.

The 29-year-old’s total price – including a loan fee – could end up being around £6m after Rafa Benitez’s recruitment team plucked the goalkeeper from eastern Europe in January.

Dubravka (below) told the Chronicle directly after the win over Chelsea: “Hopefully in the next couple of days we will know more information.

“Now I have to go away and be ready for the national team.

“Until these moments I will go away and speak with my agent and see, we will discuss what is going to happen.

“Hopefully, it will be good news soon.”

Newcastle have first option on Dubravka and he is almost certain to be the first addition to the squad in what should be a busy summer for the Magpies.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given believes securing Rafa Benitez is vital for the Magpies’ future success - and believes together with a new owner he ‘could do big things.”

Given said: “It is massive. He brings so much to the club and is a big presence in the city, not just at Newcastle United.

“He has a wealth of knowledge and experience and he is in that top bracket of managers.

“He could go to most jobs in Europe and he is quite sought-after and that is my concern – can they keep him this summer? We don’t want to lose him.”