As reports linking Liverpool with Mason Mount’s move from Chelsea grow stronger, one Liverpool legend has endorsed a potential deal.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg said last week that there is a “growing possibility” that Liverpool will make a bid for Mount this summer, as his current contract with Chelsea expires at the end of next season.
Merseyside journalist David Lynch also reported that Mount is a player Liverpool have admired for some time, and John Barnes says the England midfielder is someone he would be happy to see moving to Anfield.
Any possible move for Mount will happen in the summer, when the Reds are also linked with his England teammates Jude Bellingham.
“Absolutely,” Barnes told the Echo when asked if Mount would be a good option for Liverpool.
“He can play in any of the three forward positions or in midfield. He has a great attitude, he is young, he is English, he understands, he works very hard.
“But along with Bellingham, [Declan] Rice— players like that—most of the players we would like to bring in to improve us now won’t be available in January.”
With Liverpool struggling to achieve any stability this season, many fans are demanding the signing of midfielders before the winter transfer window closes at the end of this month.
However, Barnes sympathizes with Liverpool’s reluctance to do any big business in January.
“I’ve said it all the time and for years, and I’ll never change my mind,” he continued.
“January is not the time to sign a contract, unless you are desperate. And even when you’re desperate, you still won’t get the player you want. If you are a top player playing in a top club in Europe, your club is not going to sell you in January.
“Yes, you can spend a lot of money in January and not improve. This is when you have desperate clubs that need to sign contracts. I think that’s what Chelsea needed to do and that’s why they spent all that money. I think if you look at the players we have and the young players we have, then yes, we want certain players and we have to get them, but they won’t necessarily be available in January.
“We also have to respect the team that we have. We have a terrible injury list, and you also have to remember that if we then sign someone in January when these players get fit, if you look at the team, then you will have a lot of players who need to stay happy.
“I know that Jurgen doesn’t like the big roster of superstar players that he never had, and he’s been successful without him, and I don’t think he’s going to change now. If there are one or two players we can pick up in January, good. But if not, then I’m quite happy with what we have.”
