Martin Dubravka shone on his Newcastle United debut but the Premier League giants are still planning a summer swoop for Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope.
It remains to be seen whether everyone has gone a little overboard about Martin Dubravka.
The Slovakian international goalkeeper, who moved to St James’ Park on loan from Sparta Prague in January, enjoyed a dream debut in English football a week ago.
It was his commanding performance between the sticks that laid the platform for a hugely important 1-0 win over Manchester United, by far Newcastle’s best result since their return to the Premier League.
Dubravka not only claimed every cross with confidence, he looked a natural with the ball at his feet and appears every inch a modern-day sweeper keeper. So much so that The Mirror reports that Newcastle are already likely to trigger the £5.2 million option to make his loan deal permanent.
Though according to The Sun, The Magpies are still sniffing around alternatives. It is understood that Newcastle are watching Nike Pope’s position at Burnley very closely as regular number one Tom Heaton closes in on a return from injury after a number of months on the sidelines.
Pope was an unproven prospect when thrust into the limelight but has responded with a string of excellent performances this season, earning the admiration of Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez as a result.
So with the Tyneside giants plotting a summer move for Burnley’s 25-year-old surprise star, this should remind Dubravka that he has a long way to go yet before he can establish himself as Newcastle’s new number one.
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