Fans on social media hope Newcastle sign ‘fantastic professional’ from Brighton

Newcastle United are 18th in the Premier League for most shots conceded (15.7 per game) and 17th in the Premier League for goals conceded (21), so they need to bolster their backline before the January transfer window shuts.

The Magpies aren’t short of centre-backs with Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernández, but injury has struck Lascelles, Clark and Fernandez of late, so a new face wouldn’t be the worst thing for Eddie Howe.

Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider says the Toon Army are interested in Dan Burn and hope to agree a deal with Brighton & Hove Albion in the coming days. Fans on social media reacted positively to the news.

The 29-year-old has been a regular at the Amex but might be lured away for an exciting new project and significant payrise in the North-East. Burn joined Brighton on a five-year deal from Wigan Athletic in 2018 and has gone on to make 85 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals.

He’s a towering centre-back who’s helped the Seagulls keep three clean sheets in his 13 Premier League appearances this season, so Newcastle could do worse. Brighton have conceded one or less goals in 11 of the league games Burn has featured in.

In other news, fans on social media say ‘class’ Allan Saint-Maximin is ‘unplayable’ when at his best