Martin Dubravka discusses potential Rafa Benitez return – and wants Champions League football back at Newcastle amid Saudi takeover talk

Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners-led deal is in the final stages, with the league running their owners and directors test to determine whether members of the consortium, who also come from the Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, are fit and proper persons to run and finance the football club.

And speaking to Slovakian outlet sport.sk, Dubravka revealed he thinks a return to Europe’s premier competition can happen in the duration of his six-year contract.

"When you can be part of the atmosphere and listen to the anthem of the Champions League, it's something unique,” said the 31-year-old.

"I firmly believe I will succeed in those six years (Dubravka’s contract term).

"I've always had the highest goals and ambitions and it would be nice if I could get into this huge competition with Newcastle United."

Dubravka continued: “A club like Newcastle United deserves to return to its former glory.

"People may not realise it, but since I have the opportunity to work in this team, I see how huge the club is, what legends it has, the fan base, the whole city is committed.

"I would like Newcastle to be able to get back to the place it was in the past.

"I believe that if the sale goes through, the new owner will have the ambition to get the club back into European competitions.

"We will see what happens. We’ll probably learn more in the coming weeks. I'm curious myself."

While what a post-Mike Ashley landscape on Tyneside remains up in the air, Dubravka at least thinks money will be put down by new owners to improve the Magpies’ standing, on and off the field.

"If the club sells, it will probably come with a huge amount of finance,” said Dubravka.

"It is not surprising.

"I heard that Rafa Benitez could also come back? There is a lot of speculation, so let's be surprised at the outcome.”