Newcastle have made an approach for Brighton’s Dan Burn as they search for a new defender in the final days of the January transfer market.

The Magpies have attempted to sign Sevilla star Diego Carlos but the La Liga side have since informed them they will not be entertaining anymore bids for the Brazilian centre back.

Pursuits of Lille’s Sven Botman and Freiburg’s Nico Schlotterbeck have also been fruitless and 90min understands Eddie Howe’s side have now made an approach for Seagulls defender Burn.

The 29-year-old has been a frequent presence in Graham Potter’s defence at the AMEX, filling in at centre-back, left-back and left wing-back, but he isn’t the only defender Newcastle have their eyes on.

Nat Phillips, who has already revealed he wants to leave Liverpool this month, is another target as Newcastle look to spruce up their defensive options.

Phillips played frequently last season but Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip’s returns to fitness alongside the presence of new signing Ibrahima Konate has made opportunities harder to come by for the former Stuttgart loanee.

The Magpies have conceded 43 Premier League goals so far this season – only Norwich have a worse record – and have had the same roster of centre backs for a few years now. The likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Fabian Schar have all been given regular opportunities in central defence.

Newcastle are making plenty of moves as the January deadline approaches. There is doubt over their loan move for Jesse Lingard, talks have begun with Sassuolo over the transfer of Rogerio, while Lyon’s Bruno Guimaraes remains one of their top targets.

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