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‘Fantastic’: PL boss says Newcastle have a top talent who’s absolute ‘quality on and off the pitch’

Giuseppe Labellarte

Fri 4 February 2022 7:15, UK Updated Fri 4 February 2022 8:02, UK

Newcastle United enjoyed a successful month on the transfer front.

The Magpies got five signings over the line, strengthening throughout the ranks.

Kieran Trippier was Newcastle’s first January signing, then Chris Wood followed him at St James’ Park.

The Magpies had to wait a while for their third new recruit, but then three came in a short space of time.

First Bruno Guimaraes joined Newcastle, then Matt Targett and Dan Burn followed on deadline day.

It’s a particularly special move for the 6ft 7in defender, a boyhood Magpies fan.

Burn hails from Blyth, was a season ticket holder at St James’ Park and played in Newcastle’s academy as a schoolboy.

Brighton boss Graham Potter, speaking ahead of their FA Cup meeting with Liverpool, gave his verdict on Burn’s move.

While he admitted it was a “difficult situation”, he nonetheless feels it’s a “win, win” situation for everybody.

Potter hailed Burn’s “quality on and off the pitch”, “utmost professionalism” and “utmost effort” during his time at the club.

“Just a great guy”

“I think it’s one of those situations that is win, win, win for everybody,” quotes Potter as saying.

“Newcastle get a good player and a good character, we get a good fee and the player gets a move to his boyhood club, so it’s a nice story.

“It was a difficult situation because of Dan’s quality on and off the pitch but we have good players in those areas and different options so we felt it was something that we were able to do and had to do.

“The thought process had lots of layers. Firstly, the player indicated that it was something that he’d like to do and explore.

“And when he’s 29-years-old and he’s from the area and he has family there, you have to consider the human being side of it.

“Then there’s the finances of the deal and the player’s age and the amount he had left on his contract. It was good business for the club and, as I said earlier, good for everyone.”

Potter continued: “I had a chat with him before he left.

“It was to say thank you, to wish him well, and to have a little bit of a joke with him because he’s done fantastic with us and been a real part of what we’ve tried to do both on and off the pitch.

“He always took on the challenges with the utmost professionalism, the utmost effort, and I just wished him well, he was just a great guy.”