Howe rejects Saudi Arabia report and explains transfer stance – “That’s news to me”

The Slovakian has started our last three games following a knee injury to Nick Pope, keeping two clean sheets in the process, and has performed well in that period, adding a little more composure with his feet as we’ve looked to play out from the back.

But, with rumours of a sale not going away, it was inevitable that Eddie Howe was asked about his future during this morning’s press conference. Here’s what he had to say.

Howe was quick to dispel that a deal had been agreed, but hasn’t ruled out the potential for Dubravka to depart.

“That’s news to me,” Howe said. “I’m aware of the rumours but I don’t think it’s got to that point.”

“Certainly, we wouldn’t want to lose the goalkeeper that’s playing for us currently, that wouldn’t make sense. So, no, that isn’t a deal that we would want to sanction currently.”

“The Martin situation isn’t clear-cut, let’s wait and see what happens in the next few weeks. I’ve been really pleased with his reintroduction into the team. He’s brought calmness and composure, and let’s not forget the save he made at Ipswich in a key moment in the game.”

If Pope was fit then it seems it may have been likely that Dubravka could have been close to a deal in January, we aren’t exactly short of depth at goalkeeper after all, but the number one being out of action may revitalise his deputy’s Toon career.

It may be the right time to move Dubravka on regardless, given he is out of contract in 2026 making this our last chance to get a fee for the 35-year-old amidst our much publicised PSR mess.

However, with Pope sideline and no date for his return yet with some key fixtures coming up – can we afford to sell our No. 2? We do have Odysseas Vlachodimos, who can fill in and attempt to fight his way up the rankings, but it sounds as though Howe would prefer not to sanction a sale for Heco.

It’s a waiting game, namely for news on Pope, but this could be one to watch this winter.