Bid accepted: Keith Downie now reveals huge Newcastle news that'll get fans excited - opinion

A huge Newcastle United update has emerged on the club’s pursuit of Brighton centre-back Dan Burn…

Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has claimed that the Magpies are on the verge of completing a deal to bring the giant to St. James’ Park.

He Tweeted: “BREAKING: Newcastle have agreed a fee of £13m with Brighton for Dan Burn. The defender is travelling up to the North East to undergo a medical Breakthrough for #NUFC in their search for a centre back.”

This update will surely excite Newcastle fans as the defence is an area in which the club needs vast improvement, on the evidence of this season so far.

Only Norwich have conceded more goals than Eddie Howe’s side in the Premier League and they have only kept two clean sheets, both coming in 1-0 wins over Burnley and Leeds respectively.

They have been far from good enough at the back and their form in the top-flight suggests that they need to strengthen in the transfer market.

The current crop of centre-back options have proven themselves to not be up to the task, with Howe now looking to bring in upgrades on the likes of Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles.

Magpies fans will also be excited by the prospect of Dan Burn coming in from Brighton after he completes his medical. The giant Seagulls enforcer is enjoying a fine campaign in the top-fight, averaging a SofaScore rating of 6.96, and could be an excellent addition to the squad.

Burn has shown that he can perform to a high standard in the Premier League on a consistent basis, which indicates that he could come in at Newcastle and improve the backline.

No current centre-back in the squad has averaged a score higher than 6.77 this term, highlighting the gulf in class between the ex-Wigan man and the players he could be coming