Seagull's eye Joe Mason

Seagulls eye Cardiff's Mason as Barnes exit looms

Friday 10th January 2014 in Albion By Andy Naylor

The Argus: Joe Mason is wanted by Albion

Joe Mason is wanted by Albion
Albion have Cardiff striker Joe Mason in their sights, with Ashley Barnes poised to complete a move to Burnley today.

Barnes is on the brink of joining the Lancastrians for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £750,000, after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms yesterday.

The Seagulls have already added Jonathan Obika to their striker options on loan from Tottenham but they are expected to use the fee for Barnes and the funds committed to keeping him as part of a new contract offer in the summer to finance a replacement.

Mason, above, is a candidate after finding himself surplus to requirements at Cardiff much like winger Craig Conway, who Albion want back after a successful loan spell.

The 22-year-old helped the Bluebirds win the Championship last season but has not featured for them in the Premier League this season.

Mason, a former team-mate of Barnes at Plymouth, recently returned from a loan stint at Bolton Wanderers. They are keen to re-sign him and Albion would also face competition from other Championship clubs for the £600,000-rated former Republic of Ireland under 21 international, who has scored 18 goals in 43 starts and 34 substitute appearances for Cardiff.


The Seagulls have decided to cash in on Barnes, rather than run the risk of losing him for nothing in the summer.

Leeds also wanted him but Burnley, currently second in the table, have been pursuing him since the August window, when they had three bids rejected.

The versatile Barnes, 24, notched 53 goals in 160 games for Albion, including 23 in 101 outings in the Championship and six in 24 appearances this season, after signing from Plymouth initially on loan in March 2010 and then permanently four months later for around £125,000.

Id be devastated if we let him go permanently, he needs a good long loan and he will come back better. Players like Joe with his natural ability just need game time, we saw how far he came in the season before last.


DONT SELL MASON!

He needs a full season in the championship and well see if he's ready for the next level!

He's ready to step up to the premier league no doubt about it. Massive shame if we let him leave

Send him on loan but don't sell him because I still see potential in him.

Should be loaned out in my opinion, would be sad to see him leave perm.

*double post

Last edited by Double G on Fri Jan 10, 2014 3:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Personally id sell if the offers correct. Really cant see him cutting it at prem level. Didnt do a lot for Bolton recently. Close to a mill with a high sell on clause just incase would be my thinking

Should be loaned out in my opinion, would be sad to see him leave perm.

^^^^^^^ this

One for the future defo, especially if god forbid we drop down

Id be devastated if we let him go permanently, he needs a good long loan and he will come back better. Players like Joe with his natural ability just need game time, we saw how far he came in the season before last.


DONT SELL MASON!

quite like to see him in central midfield.. given time i think he would be able to run a game there. intelligent player, not to pacey, but can see a pass and knows where the goal is.

I'm not as convinced about Joe Mason as many others are on this board. At the same time he could well come good. A loan to Brighton for the rest of the season is the perfect move for all concerned in my opinion. They would be the right club in the right division to bring out the best in him right now. He has never has a solid, prolonged run of games. This is what he needs to push on and what CCFC need to gauge his potential and ability.

By this summer, we will know if he has a future at Cardiff or not. Which ever division we may be in...

Love him to bits. Scored against Liverpool if I remember (in a mess)

Quality player, real talent. Plymouth fans miss him

Really would like him to stay and maybe play in the cup v Bolton.

He needs a full season of football in the championship with the option to end his lone. I feel he is running out of patients.