• Premier League

'Top clubs' quick to show interest in Barton

ESPN staff
August 1, 2011
Joey Barton has been linked with Tottenham and Arsenal © PA Photos
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The agent of transfer-listed Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has revealed he has already received a number of calls from 'top clubs' declaring their interest in the player.

Barton was made available on a free transfer on Monday, after the St James' Park club seemingly grew tired of Barton's continued criticism of the board on social networking site Twitter.

Clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham, Stoke City and Aston Villa have already been linked with a move for the former England international - who has a year left to run on his current deal - and the player's agent, Willie McKay, confirmed that he has already fielded calls from clubs about the player's future.

"There will be a lot of takers. Joey would hope to go to a top club and in actual fact a couple of top clubs have been in contact already," McKay said, speaking to talkSPORT. "There won't be a problem finding Joey a home. He's a very good player and approaching his prime. I just can't understand what Newcastle are doing. I think he is capable of playing Champions League. He's a very good player."

While reluctant to criticise Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and the rest of the club's board after they previously showed faith in Barton following some well-publicised legal troubles, McKay admitted that he was surprised they never offered Barton a new deal at the start of the summer as reward for his performances last season.

"I was totally surprised when they never offered him a contract," he added. "I think it's a wee bit suicidal by Newcastle because how would you let your player of the year leave on a free transfer, approaching his prime?

"He had a great season last year and he was, for me, pivotal for the club getting £36 million for Andy Carroll because he passed every ball to Andy Carroll, for every goal. He's a very good player and approaching his prime. I just can't understand what Newcastle are doing.

"[Managing director] Derek Llambias and Mike Ashley stood by Joey when he was under real pressure so I'm not going to come out and slag off Newcastle's board but I think they have made a mistake. He was going to take a drop in wages to sign a new contract."

After the club made Barton's new transfer status public, the player took to Twitter once again to give his reaction. "Somewhere in those high echelons of NUFC, they have decided, I am persona non grata," Barton said. "I am on a free but the honour of wearing those black+white stripes surpasses that.

"One day the board might realise what the shirt signifies. HONOUR and PRIDE. Thanks for your continued support."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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