Brighton & Hove Albion legend Brian Horton has suggested that Dan Burn should stay at the club amid reported transfer interest from Newcastle United.
The Seagulls have reportedly rejected an £8m offer for the 6'7" defender, but Newcastle remain keen in a move as Eddie Howe aims to add a centre-back to his squad this month.
Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood have already come through the door in January, but the Magpies continue to be linked with further deals before the end of the window.
A boyhood Newcastle fan, Burn has been a mainstay in the Brighton side this season since joining for £4m from Wigan Athletic in 2018, making 85 appearances in all competitions.
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However, the Toon want to make the 29-year-old to St James' Park in a bid to bolster their defence and Horton has assessed why Burn should stay on the south coast until at least the end of the campaign.
"Those things come into it a little bit but at the end of the day, he is in the first team at Brighton. Dan Burn has done unbelievably well, I saw him play quite a lot at Wigan," he told Sussex Live.
"He looks a very accomplished player. So why would they want to sell him? Unless it is a big offer. He's got 18 months left on his contract so Brighton don't need to sell him in this window.
"He is playing very well, so are the team, and the whole club is blossoming. The club's recruitment is being praised, the academy is in a fantastic place. Why do you need to sell someone unless you have to?"
It has been reported that it may take around £15m to prise Burn away from the AMEX Stadium this month.
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Brighton teammate Adam Webster has also been linked with a move to the Magpies as they look to recruit a centre-back given their dismal defensive record, conceding the second-most goals in the Premier League with 43 from 21 matches.
Horton, who was surprised with Newcastle's bid, has claimed that this interest could lead to a new contract for Burn, who has 18 months left on his current deal.
"It surprised me a little bit [this news]. When you do get offers does it upset the player's mind, upset the balance of the team?" he added.
"If he had six months left on his deal, rather than leaving on a free later on, a deal makes more sense then.
"Another thing that could happen is Brighton negotiate a new deal out of all of this. I am sure that could happen. There is no need to panic. The club is doing unbelievably well."
