Dan Burn has questioned the 'perception' of Newcastle and referenced Gabby Agbonlahor's previous declaration that players would prefer to sign for Brentford for 'less money'. The January signing was one of five mid-season recruits to arrive at the Magpies earlier this year as Eddie Howe's side secured a mid-table finish.
Newcastle's newfound wealth following the takeover led to wild speculation over who the new owners would target, with a dismal start of last season cementing the club as relegation favourites. Superstars such as Gareth Bale and Phillipe Coutinho were linked, and the owner spent in excess of £90 million in their first window.
Burn was one of these early signings who all made an immediate impact, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier convinced by the project despite United's precarious position. Sven Botman and record signing Alexander Isak followed in the summer, and Howe's side currently sit third in the table with a Carabao Cup quarter-final on the horizon.
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Agbonlahor was among the early critics to question Newcastle's pulling power and whether the team would be capable of avoiding relegation to the Championship. The former Aston Villa striker insisted transfer targets offered £30,000 per week with Brentford and £40,000 per week with Newcastle would opt for the former, due to a desire to live in London.
It was a controversial stance that has since been debunked as Howe has proven capable of convincing Premier League performers and emerging talents from Europe to sign. Burn did not namecheck Agbonlahor, but the Ashington-born defender raised the argument when outlining his love for the North East as a region.
When asked if Newcastle is the most underrated city in the UK, he told NUFC TV: "I've lived all over the country, and I know the perception of the city. People used to talk about players coming up, and they were saying like he'll stay with a London team for less money because it's Newcastle.
"There's not many places in the country where you can be in the city, and in 20 minutes be at the coast, and in another 20 minutes you can be in the countryside. It's cold, but it's not that cold! I love the city, it has changed a lot over the years and caught up to a lot of the other cities."
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