Newcastle United have agreed "a deal in principle" for Martin Dubravka ahead of the January window - according to strong reports in Saudi Arabia.

A permanent deal with Al-Shabab has been set up according to Ariyadhiah with a move to the Saudi Pro League a big possibility for the long-serving United stopper. Dubravka made his return to action in the Premier League win over Leicester City at the weekend and kept a clean sheet in the 4-0 win over the Foxes.

His existing deal looks set to expire next June and this could be the last chance Newcastle have to cash in on the ex-Sparta Prague star. Interest in Dubravka comes as Nick Pope was ruled out for a month with a knee injury.

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Odysseas Vlachodimos and 38-year-old John Ruddy would still be on hand to battle for the gloves if Dubravka went. But Pope is only expected to miss four weeks.

Speaking about his goalkeeping options, Howe told Chronicle Live: "We have a very strong unit. They are a good experienced team of goalkeepers.

"You look at the experience behind Nick which is a great thing for us to utilise. So let's see what happens with Nick today. We back all the goalkeepers we have."

Dubravka arrived in January 2018 from Prague and has made 165 appearances for Newcastle with only a brief loan stint at Manchester United interrupting his service to the Magpies. But given United's desperate PSR situation any cash sales are likely to be considered, not least for a player that will be 36 in January.