Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has revealed that he will be “sad” if Martin Dubravka joins Manchester United.
The Red Devils are ‘set to sign’ Dubravka from the Magpies with a full agreement reached, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The Slovenian goalkeeper has agreed to join on loan with a £5 million buy option. He is set to undergo a medical with Manchester United on Tuesday.
Erik ten Hag has been on the lookout for another goalkeeper to challenge and provide competition to David de Gea alongside Tom Heaton.
Following Dean Henderson’s season-long loan move to Nottingham Forest, the former Ajax manager was keen to fill the void the one-time England international left behind at the Theatre of Dreams.
Eddie Howe on Manchester United’s pursuit of Martin Dubravka
The Slovakian international started 26 Premier League games for Newcastle last season, but after the Magpies signed fellow England international Nick Pope from relegated Burnley in the summer, Dubravka dropped down to being Howe’s number two.
Ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Liverpool tomorrow night, the former Bournemouth manager was asked about the Dubravka deal in his pre-match press conference.
Howe said: “I think discussions have taken place between the clubs – I don’t think anything is concluded as I sit here now.
“From my perspective I’m sad if Martin does leave, sad to see him go – it’s certainly not something we necessarily wanted as a football club.
“But we understand there’s always two sides to every story.”
Dubravka’s impending arrival at Carrington could see both Matej Kovar and Nathan Bishop leave United on loan before Thursday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
The 33-year-old could make his Manchester United debut in next Thursday’s Europa League opener against La Liga side Real Sociedad.
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