What Dan Burn has previously said about Newcastle United ahead of potential transfer swoop

Newcastle United are looking into the possibility of signing Brighton and Hove Albion defender Dan Burn.

Burn, a boyhood Magpies fan, is currently on holiday in Dubai as United remain in discussions with the Seagulls over the 29-year-old.

NewcastleWorld understands United have discussed personal terms with Burn so that if a fee is agreed with Brighton, then a deal is ready to advance fast.

There are just four days remaining in the January transfer window as Eddie Howe’s side eye a busy end to the month.

Howe & Co want to add to Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood’s arrivals with further recruits before Monday’s 11pm deadline.

Blyth-born Burn could be one of those to arrive, which would spell an emotional return to Tyneside, as explained by the player himself:

Released by Newcastle aged 13

Speaking to Brighton’s matchday programme in 2020, Burn spoke about his Newcastle release: “I was playing for Blyth Spartans as a junior and was scouted by Newcastle United and invited to join their development centre.

“You have the academy, where the best players went, and the development centre would run alongside that, where you would train Fridays, and they kept an eye on the players’ progress.

“It wasn’t that great to be honest. While I was a good footballer when I joined them, as the two or three years went on, I declined quite rapidly. My body shot up, and I didn’t really catch up with myself football-wise until I was 15 or 16.

“I was there (at Newcastle) from 11 to 13, but don’t remember much of my time, maybe I’ve blocked a lot of it out, because it wasn’t a particularly good experience being let go by the club you support, with the realisation setting in that you’re probably not good enough to play at that level.

“For a good couple of years. It wasn’t until I started growing into my body again that I started enjoying my football once more. I then kicked on and eventually got my league chance when I joined Darlington.”

Turning down Newcastle in 2011

Burn was presented with the opportunity to join Newcastle under Alan Pardew in 2011 - but he explained why he decided to pursue a career outside of the “goldfish bowel”.

He said: “When I signed for Fulham, I was actually given the opportunity to go to Newcastle as well

“I would have loved to play for Newcastle, but, at that age, at that time in my career, it was the best decision for me to get away from that goldfish bowl where everyone’s analysing what you’re doing.

“I just wanted to get away and solely concentrate on my football, which was the correct decision.”

A boyhood Newcastle fan

Indeed, Burn grew up a Newcastle fan, once owning a season ticket at St James’ Park alongside his father.

“Coming from the town of Blyth, everyone’s a Newcastle supporter, so you’re born into it.

“My dad had a season-ticket, a real diehard fan, and he signed me up to the Junior Magpies club early.

“I started playing football when I was six or seven, so got more into it more and then my dad would eventually start taking me to loads of games.

“I eventually had my own season-ticket and the years I remember most from my childhood was when the club played in the Champions League – they were great times for the club.”

Time will tell if Burn is able to achieve his childhood dream of wearing those famous black and white stripes.