• Premier League

QPR open talks with Newcastle midfielder Barton

ESPNsoccernet staff
August 24, 2011
Joey Barton could be about to change shirts © Getty Images
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Newcastle United have given transfer-listed midfielder Joey Barton permission to speak to QPR, signalling that his St James' Park career could be nearing an end.

Barton, 28, was made available by the Magpies earlier this summer after criticising the club's recuitment policy on Twitter, and has been a divisive figure throughout his four-year spell on Tyneside.

The former Manchester City man's career has been plagued by controversy and he served a 77-day prison sentence in 2008 after being convicted of assault.

But despite his misdemeanours on and off the pitch, Barton has established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent midfielders and QPR boss Neil Warnock is keen to add the midfielder to his squad as the Rs look to survive their first season back in the top flight since 1996.

Warnock is also thought to be interested in bringing West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips to Loftus Road.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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