Newcastle United have made an improved bid of £10million plus add-ons for Brighton central defender Dan Burn.
Eddie Howe is hoping to bring in two centre backs and to finalise the key signing of Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimarães before Monday's deadline with a left-back and a striker also on his list.
As Sportsmail revealed, Newcastle targeted Burn last week and opened with an £8m offer which was rejected.
The 6ft 7in, 29-year-old Burn is left-sided and Howe believes can add balance as well as grit to his defence as they strive to avoid relegation.
Burn, born in Blyth, Northumberland, grew up supporting Newcastle and is believed to be keen on a move to the north-east and a return to the region where he played for Blyth Spartans and Darlington.
Newcastle have bolstered their squad this month with the singings of Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier but Howe is expecting more arrivals before Monday's deadline.
He said: ‘From my perspective, I don’t imagine that (Guimaraes) will be the end. Whether that turns to reality, who knows. It can be unpredictable. But we’re hoping and working hard to improve the squad.
‘The frustration is more with the window, not the people behind the scenes. I see how hard they are working.
‘But I am looking forward to Tuesday (day after deadline). I like to coach. It will be nice to know that this is the group we have - and I would back us to get the job (survival) done.’