Martin Dubravka in direct Celtic transfer address as Newcastle United star welcomes 'concrete offer'

Newcastle United star Martin Dubravka has responded to links over a potential move to Celtic.

The Premiership and Scottish Cup winners are searching for a new No. 1 after Joe Hart retired at the end of last season - with the 35-year-old among Brendan Rodgers’ leading candidates to fill the void left by the former England international. Slovakia's first-choice goalkeeper was thrust into a starting spot in the English Premier League in the second half of last season following an injury to Nick Pope - but looks set to be put back down the pecking order by Eddie Howe next term.

Newcastle have been heavily linked with a move for Burnley shot-stopper James Trafford this term - which could see Dubravka drop to third-choice and clear the way for a St. James' Park departure with Celtic circling. And the goalkeeper admits he would consider a "concrete offer" as he claimed the Scottish champions were interested LAST summer.

While on international duty at Euro 2024, he said: "I am aware that there are rumours, teammates ask me about it, agents and people call me, if there is any truth to it. There was some truth in that a year ago and you see, I stayed at Newcastle, so I still take it as if there is no official offer on the table, then I absolutely do not deal.

"I told my agents that if it was concrete and there was an offer, then only then would I consider it. At the moment, it is only in the stage of some noises."

And Dubravka’s agent, David Zika, has already stated his client is in no rush to make a decision - stating in January that the view could be changed on his future if he WINS Euro 2024. He told Sport.sk: “Mato [Dubravka] is satisfied that he has the necessary minutes, but the truth is also that if Nick Pope comes back, United will have two quality goalkeepers and only one can play.

“I dare say that he will finish this season in Newcastle. I personally think, and we talked about it with him, that now he has excellent timing for everything. He’s playing, he’s getting better and better in every game, then the European Championships will come and he’ll only have a year left on his contract."