Newcastle United are plotting a double swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion defensive duo Adam Webster and Dan Burn, according to reports.
It is understood that the Magpies have made a late approach for the Seagulls pair as Eddie Howe aims to strengthen his squad before the end of the January transfer window.
The Toon have already registered their interest in Webster after impressing for Brighton this season and his form has attracted England boss Gareth Southgate's attention ahead of this year's World Cup in Qatar.
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Webster joined the Seagulls in a £20million deal from Bristol City in 2019 and has been virtually an ever-present in the side since, making 76 appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Burn is a left-sided centre-back in Graham Potter's back three and he has been excellent of recent late, starting in each of the Seagulls' last seven Premier League matches.
The Blyth-born defender is in the final 18 months of his contract at Brighton and Newcastle feel the boyhood Magpies fan could be lured away from the AMEX Stadium.
It is unclear how the club's interest in the duo would be received at Brighton, with Lewis Dunk recovering from a long-term injury and Shane Duffy still out with a ankle issue.
Only Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have lost fewer matches than the Seagulls this season (4), conceding just 23 goals in 22 games and the pair have been crucial to that excellent record.
Nevertheless, Newcastle are looking to sign new central defenders in the winter market but have been unsuccessful in their pursuit of any potential targets so far.
It had been reported that the Magpies were interested in signing Diego Carlos, however, Sevilla are desperate to keep the 28-year-old in Spain this month.
Lille's Sven Botman is another who has been linked with a move to Tyneside but the Dutchman is likely to stay in Ligue 1 until at least the end of the current campaign.
Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles started as the back-two in the Magpies' 1-0 win over Leeds United last time out.
However, Lascelles had to be replaced by Ciaran Clark after picking a groin issue, while Newcastle are still without Federico Fernandez, who picked up an injury before the defeat at Leicester City in December.
This could force the Magpies to bolster in defence and the Brighton duo have been lined-up as options after guiding the Seagulls to ninth place in the table.
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