TalkSport pundit Darren Bent believes Mason Mount would fit perfectly into Newcastle United’s team.
The Lowdown: Attacking reinforcements are needed
During the January transfer window, it was reported that Newcastle wanted to prioritise signing a new midfielder, but they switched up their approach and splashed out £40m on yet another winger in the form of Anthony Gordon.
However, Newcastle not going for a new midfielder in January could well have played into their own hands as they have reportedly entered the race for contract rebel Mount by the Daily Mail.
If Newcastle are able to land a Champions League winner in the form of Mount, it would really be a statement of intent and also help them bridge the gap between themselves and the very elite clubs in England.
The Latest: Mount would be perfect for Newcastle
Despite being linked with a big-money move to Liverpool, Bent has admitted on TalkSport that Mount would be the perfect player for Newcastle to go out and sign this summer.
He said: “I’m surprised Newcastle aren’t heavily in for him, because he’d be perfect for them. Surely, if you’re trying to get to the next level, he’s exactly what you’re looking for. He’s young, he’s English, he’s an international; he’s played in big, big games, won big trophies, been a Player of the Year at his club.
“If you’re trying to build and attract players to your club, you don’t go and buy someone who’s 28, 29 that’s maybe in between whether they are going to go on to the next level, or are they going to start to fall away. He’s not even in his prime yet.”
The Verdict: Howe would love to sign Mount
Given that Newcastle still only have four ready-made first-team options to pick from in the midfield department, if they could add Mount alongside Bruno Guimaraes, it would be a major step up.
Mount has won the Champions League and played in some of the biggest games for club and country, so it would surely be an absolute no-brainer for PIF to hand Eddie Howe someone of Mount’s ability if he was open to the move, which he could well be if the Magpies were willing to bump up his reported £80,000-per-week wage.
Given where Chelsea and Newcastle are in the Premier League table, it could perhaps be viewed as a step up in his career if they continue on their current trajectories, especially given the ambitions that Amanda Staveley and PIF have for the Magpies – although they’d face stiff competition from Liverpool for Mount’s signature if they decided to make a move.
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