Martin Dubravka's move to Al-Shabab has been approved by the Saudi Pro League - according to new claims in the Middle East.

The Slovakia international had a storming game in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the capital as he pulled off some fantastic saves. However, strong claims from Riyadh say that the Saudi Pro League's Financial Sustainability Committee have approved the deal.

Newcastle are said to have made a request to hold on to Dubravka for one more match with the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg set to be his final game. With no fresh contract offer on the table from Newcastle, Eddie Howe had suggested it was effectively up to Dubravka if he wanted to stay on until the end of the campaign when his deal expires.

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Dubravka had said at the end of last month: "Nobody has spoken to me about a contract extension yet, so I feel my phase is slowly coming to an end. I'm going to take it a bit more emotionally because seven years at one club is a long time.

"Everybody knows me here, I know everybody here. My children were born here. If it has to end, I will accept it. What else is left for me. But it won't be an easy departure."

And it now seems inevitable that he will sign for Al-Shabab with Aawsat Sport reporting: "Newcastle United have asked Al-Shabab to keep the goalkeeper until the match against Arsenal on Tuesday and then he will leave."

Howe had said of Dubravka: "The situation with Martin is, we would not want him to leave, but of course, you have to respect and understand the player’s wishes as well in this. It’s not as clear-cut as everyone would necessarily have you think.

"Martin is out-of-contract as well in the summer so that is a different dynamic to add into the mix. It’s all hypothetical.
"Martin is and has been fully committed, I think he’s been outstanding and a brilliant professional to work with.

"I’ve got a lot of respect for him and I think he’s done really well when you consider he didn’t play a lot of football when coming into the team. Fair to play him and how he’s handled that situation."

If the timeline for Dubravka's exit is right, it could see Odysseas Vlachodimos or John Ruddy face Bromley in the FA Cup third round with a suggestion that Nick Pope could be back for the Wolves game in the middle of this month. Pope is back in light training at Benton after a knee injury curtailed his chances of playing during the festive period.