Newcastle players watching closely amid Dan Burn update: ‘I know in the dressing room…’

Newcastle United could splash up to £3million on a new contract for centre-back Dan Burn in the coming months.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Magpies should be looking to keep the "continuity" and "stability" of the 34-year-old around the club.

The England international is out of contract at St James' Park next summer, but is dealing with an injury at the moment and is yet to make a competitive appearance this season.

However, Wyness believes that Burn deserves a new deal at Newcastle, and feels that the rest of the squad will be watching closely to see how the club handle his future.

The Tynesiders endured a transformational summer as they moved into the Matthias Jaissle era, but Burn still plays a key role in the dressing room.

Wyness made it clear that the club captain has been a "warrior" for the North East outfit, and feels that a new deal would be well worth the money.

Newcastle to please 'dressing room' with Dan Burn extension

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that a move to hand a new contract to Burn would keep the rest of the Newcastle squad happy.

The veteran defender carries a significant influence behind the scenes at St James', and Wyness is in no doubt that the club need to protect that as much as possible.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he explained how a new deal for Burn could affect Jaissle's group.

"I know in the dressing room, a lot of the younger talent and a lot of the players will be looking to see how the club handles Dan Burn and his situation," he said.

"That happens in every dressing room where there are powerful, influential figures who are the spokespeople, if you like. Burn is no exception, and he's the classic stereotype of that type of figure.

"Newcastle have got to be aware of that, and they'll be knowing that the rest of the squad will be looking to see how they treat somebody like Dan Burn. 

"This is a battle of the soul and culture of Newcastle as much as anything else, and they can't be seen to lose this. If they were to spend, say £3m on a contract for Burn, it's worth the money to try and keep that continuity and stability. 

"I don't think anybody could argue that he hasn't deserved it. He's been a warrior for Newcastle. He's given many memorable moments, and he's exactly the type of player you'd love to have on your side, so I expect it to be resolved quite quickly."

How much will Dan Burn play for Newcastle this season?

Wyness told Football Insider earlier this week that Burn would even be willing to take a wage cut in order to stay at Newcastle beyond next summer.

The veteran started 25 games in the Premier League last term, and still managed to play 2199 minutes of league action under Eddie Howe.

He may not have made an appearance so far this term, but he expected to be a crucial figure for Jaissle in the back four when he returns to action.

The Magpies are hopeful that he could be ready to return to the fold after the international break, and that surely cannot come soon enough for them.