The former England international fears that 26-year-old Barmby will face a bitter on-slaught from the Everton fans when he returns to Goodison Park with Liverpool next season, should he complete his £6 million transfer.
McMahon knows first hand the kind of reaction that Barmby can expect from the Goodison Park faithful, having made the switch from blue to red on Merseyside. Although, McMahon made the switch via a two year spell with Midlands club Aston Villa.
"I could have gone from A to B but I didn't," said McMahon. "I spoke to Liverpool and although everything else was right and the money was better than I was being offered by Villa I decided it was better at the time not to go to Anfield.
"Some of the fans thought I was going to be signing for Liverpool and when I woke up one morning I found my new white Audi car completely covered in blue paint.
"I received a lot of letters saying all sorts of things. It was better to leave the city for a while.
"After two seasons at Villa I had another chance to join Liverpool and that time I took it. When I went back to Goodison for my first derby my car was broken into."
