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Newcastle United star makes stark admission over future after transfer developments

Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (Image: PA)

MARTIN DUBRAVKA admits he does not know whether he will still be at Newcastle United when the transfer window closes later this summer.

Dubravka has spent the last few weeks representing Slovakia at the Euros, and was between the sticks at the weekend as Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time overhead kick helped England scramble into the quarter-finals.

At the same time as Dubravka was being left heartbroken in Gelsenkirchen, Newcastle were putting the finishing touches to deals that saw two new goalkeepers arrive on Tyneside.

Greece international Odysseas Vlachodimos made a permanent move from Nottingham Forest as part of the deal that saw Elliot Anderson leave in the opposite direction, while veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy also signed a one-year deal with the Magpies following his release from Birmingham City.

With Nick Pope and Mark Gillespie also on Newcastle’s books, a summer departure feels inevitable, with Dubravka almost certainly having been identified as the goalkeeper likeliest to leave.

The 35-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at St James’ Park, and has been heavily linked with a potential move to reigning Scottish champions Celtic.

“I have no idea,” admitted Dubravka, when asked about his future plans at club level. “I have seen they (Newcastle) are talking with other goalkeepers.

“I need to speak with the manager first. What is the plan for me? What is my future? I don’t know if they want me to stay or not. It is difficult for me because I have been focused on my job with the national team.”

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Dubravka helped take Slovakia to within seconds of the greatest result in their football history at the weekend, only for England to somehow haul themselves off the canvas and make the last eight.

Bellingham’s stoppage-time equaliser gave Gareth Southgate’s side a lifeline, with Harry Kane’s header in extra-time condemning Slovakia to defeat.

“It would have been the biggest night in our football history,” said Dubravka, in an interview with the Daily Mail. “That is football. We gave them the littlest opportunity, and they took it. It was devastating, it hurts. But we showed that people can count on us. We played brilliant football, and we have done throughout our time here.

“We deserved much more, but that goal changed everything. Credit to Jude, what can you say? He hit it nice. It was just a pity for us. He is a special player, this is his year. He was in the right place at the right moment.”