Newcastle first teamer wanted by mid-table club, seven-figure agreement in place – report
Italian Serie A club Udinese are ready to battle Newcastle United to the signing of Sparta Prague goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, according to a report.
The Newcastle Chronicle claims that Dubravka, 29, has played so well since moving to St James’ Park on loan in January that has has started to attract attention from Italy and Germany, including mid-table Serie A side Udinese.
It is understood that Newcastle have an agreement in place to sign Dubravka permanently for a seven-figure fee worth £4.5million, but that does not stop other clubs from coming in and hijacking any potential deal.
Dubravka has jumped straight into Rafa Benitez’s first-team plans on Tyneside, making five appearances in the Premier League and keeping three clean sheets in three wins.
Football Insider verdict
Dubravka has only made a handful of appearances since singing for Newcastle but has proven that he is worth being signed up permanently in the summer. £4.5million would be a great fee as well for the Magpies, who have not exactly had a lot of money to spend since going up last term. Udinese should not be a team that will really worry them unless they can somehow offer a lot more money. The Premier League should be a much more fancy proposition to the eight-times Slovakia international, who has really helped United stave off relegation in the last few months.
In other Newcastle United news, West Ham are eyeing a summer swoop for this £60,000-a-week Magpies player.
Don’t miss out on breaking and exclusive Newcastle United news by clicking here for our brilliant 24/7 updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.