Jamie Redknapp has questioned why Chelsea would want to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona this summer.
The Brazilian's future is set to be one of the most talked-about sagas of the next transfer window, with Bayern Munich not expected to make his loan deal permanent and parent club Barcelona deeming him surplus to requirements.
Coutinho has been heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League, with Chelsea one of the front-runners alongside the likes of Manchester United, Leicester City, Everton and Newcastle United.
However, Redknapp believes that Chelsea signing the 27-year-old would risk stunting the development of Mason Mount.
"I don't see this as a goer, it's an awful lot of money. Coutinho is a super-talented player but he doesn't get enough goals," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
"Chelsea have Mason Mount there and a lot of trust has been given to the young players who are coming through at Stamford Bridge. The way Chelsea have been going for the last year or so, I just don't see them going to spend £79m on a player.
"Coutinho is talented, but why would you want to risk preventing someone like Mount, who is going to be a top-class player, having the opportunities himself?"
Coutinho has scored nine goals and assisted eight in 32 appearances across all competitions this season.
Barney Corkhill
