Barton set for Magpies move

[Mighty T.A.L.]

West Ham offer mega contract to Newcastle target Barton

West Ham United will offer a staggering £1 million-a-year more than Newcastle United to Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton.

Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson has put together a £4m-a-season contract for the Manchester City star - even bigger than the £60,000-a-week from Newcastle, says the Mirror.

Barton is due to speak to Toon chief Sam Allardyce today before heading to see Hammers' Alan Curbishley.

[dukeofdavinci]

Barton agrees five-year Newcastle deal

Joey Barton has committed his future to Newcastle United after a whirlwind day on Tyneside.

The 24-year-old Manchester City midfielder is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal at St James' Park after the Magpies fended off competition from West Ham to clinch his £5.5million signing.

Barton's capture came after Sam Allardyce beat Hammers boss Alan Curbishley to the punch and, during talks at the club's Darsley Park training headquarters this afternoon, persuaded him he could fulfil his potential at Newcastle.

With agent Willie McKay conducting negotiations with chairman Freddy Shepherd down the road at St James' Park, the player headed off for a medical and was then ready to return home to mull over the offer.

However, it is understood he was so impressed with what he saw and heard that he turned around and went straight back to the stadium to sign a deal which is thought to amount to around £70,000 a week.

McKay said. 'He has agreed terms and passed his medical. It's a five-year deal.'

Barton's capture is likely to have a knock-on effect for the Hammers, who should now be able to complete their own move for Newcastle skipper Scott Parker.

That deal has been on ice for several days with Allardyce unwilling to sanction it until he had a ready-made replacement safely on board.

The new manager has only been back at his desk for two days following a short break, and has wasted little time in pushing ahead with his rebuilding plans.

Barton will arrive once again having to answer his critics after his training ground bust-up with City team-mate Ousmane Dabo, but with his pedigree in no doubt.

Allardyce will be confident of harnessing his temperament having managed the likes of El Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka during his time at Bolton, and that will be important with the Magpies having found themselves in the headlines for the wrong reasons on too many occasions in recent years.

Tuesday night's development came after an eventful day on Tyneside when it also emerged that Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka has agreed in principle to join the club.

The 31-year-old is expected to hold talks with Newcastle later this week with the Hammers, Portsmouth and promoted Birmingham all monitoring his situation.

Boro are also thought to be among those clubs to have registered an interest in Barton after his departure from Eastlands became inevitable.

The Teessiders, however, will be more disappointed at the potential loss of Viduka, although perhaps not surprised after seeing him presented with a series of options as his three-year contract ran down.

Allardyce's predecessor Glenn Roeder twice tried to sign the Australia international last season, and although manager Gareth Southgate remained hopeful of securing his services beyond the confines of his existing deal, he knew he could live to regret not tying him up before he was allowed to talk to other clubs.

Viduka's 19 goals last season were a major factor in Boro's successful fight to drag themselves away from the drop zone, and in all, he found the back of the net on 42 occasions in 100 appearances following his £4.5million move from Leeds in July, 2004.

His capture would see Newcastle replace the physical presence and hold-up play they lost with Alan Shearer's retirement last summer, and while there has been speculation over the futures of Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, Allardyce would be more than happy to go into the new campaign with that trio and the fit-again Shola Ameobi competing to lead the line.

With out-of-contract Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim and Paris St Germain's Czech international defender David Rozehnal also in his sights, the manager is intent on making an early impact.

His transfer dealings are being carried out against the backdrop of the battle for control in the club's boardroom with Shepherd still at the helm despite his health problems.

However, would-be owner Mike Ashley is expected to formalise his 100p-per-share offer to the club's shareholders later this week.

The offer document is due to be sent out within days with Ashley hoping to clinch a complete £133.1million buy-out having already acquired a 41.6% stake at a cost of £55million.

says here barton signed a 5 year contract.any words from toons website

[kennethlindheim]

Manchester City's Joey Barton has given his word he will sign for Newcastle after Freddy Shepherd and Sam Allardyce made him "feel so wanted".

The 24-year-old is expected to complete a £5.5million move to St James' Park later on Wednesday once the remaining administrative details are finalised.

However, Barton admitted he knew where his future lay after meeting Allardyce, chairman Shepherd and prospective owner Mike Ashley on Tuesday.

He told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "I have given my word to Newcastle United and that is where I hope I will be going.

"Everybody knows they are a club of great history and tradition - and that is great - but what has also been great for me is that they have pushed the boat out for me, and both Freddy Shepherd and Sam Allardyce have made me feel so wanted."

Barton visited Shepherd at his home, where he is recovering from illness after opening negotiations, to thank him for his attention, and quickly made up his mind.

His capture would be the first of Allardyce's reign, and could be swiftly followed by the arrival of out-of-contract Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka.

Allardyce's determination to do business early - he only returned to his desk on Monday - will impress the club's fans, although he knows he will have to reassure them that the problems which have blighted Barton's career to date are behind him.

The outspoken England international knows he has made mistakes in the past, and is intent on proving himself on the pitch all over again.

He said: "I am not proud of some of the things I have done and know I have brought a lot of my problems on myself. But I want to be a winner, not only for myself, but for the fans.

"I have heard it said that footballers are all about flash cars and expensive watches, but for me, it is all about winning medals and it hurts me that I haven't any."

Nor do any of the men who have pulled on the famous black and white shirt since 1969 but, as Allardyce plans for the future, the club's fans will hope their wait for a trophy comes to an end sooner rather than later.

Joey felt 'so wanted' by Toon - Newcastle - TEAMtalk Football News

[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has hit out at Manchester City over the cash wrangle which is delaying his capture of midfielder Joey Barton.

The 24-year-old agreed his £5.5million move to St James' Park last week, but a row over a £300,000 pay-off to which he was contractually entitled if he was sold without asking for a transfer has prevented the deal going through.

Barton's agent Willie McKay has referred the matter to the Professional Footballers' Association with City adamant that they will not pay because he was not forced out of the club.

Allardyce is being forced to play a waiting game, but has urged the Eastlands hierarchy to resolve the issue.

He told the Manchester Evening News: "They are out of order. This is a private matter, a confidential issue that should not have been made public. I'm flabbergasted and want the situation resolved.

"I am just trying as Newcastle manager to secure a player of this kind and quality and the deal has been held up.

"I cannot understand it because City didn't pay anything for this player as he came through the youth system and are selling him for over £5million.

"It's not really for me to comment. All I know is that this is a matter for Joey to sort out and I hope it is resolved as it has stopped him putting pen to paper."

Barton travelled to Tyneside last week to discuss his proposed move after both the Magpies and West Ham agreed a fee with City.

He was so impressed with what he heard and saw after meeting Allardyce, chairman Freddy Shepherd and prospective new owner Mike Ashley that he decided within hours to head for Newcastle without even talking to the Hammers.

However, although everything else is agreed, the outstanding payment, although unlikely to scupper the deal, has held things up.

Indeed, striker Mark Viduka, who met Newcastle officials in London a few days later, tied up his move within hours.

Barton was suspended by City at the end of last season following a training ground incident involving team-mate Ousmane Dabo which left his future in doubt.

However, Allardyce is confident he can harness the player to get the best out of him on the field.

He said: "I found Joey a very bright person who wants to develop his game.

"He is very positive, well-spoken and focused and wants to win silverware with Newcastle and develop his international career."

Sam urges City to 'sort' Barton row - Newcastle - TEAMtalk Football News

[Pennywise]

I hope not £300,000 will destroy this transfer. We need Barton asap so Big Sam and Ashley can work wider with other things.

[alansmithy14]

i was reading on bbc.com that sam allyrdice is going crazy that the move isnt finished yet. Barton, N'Zogbia, Milner sounds like a rly exciting Midfield. Newcastle are lucky because all of these guys are young and will be playin for a long time

[NJ10]

dont forget Dyer & Duff when they get fit too.....and Nicky Butt had a really good season too.

[alansmithy14]

Originally Posted by NJ10

dont forget Dyer & Duff when they get fit too.....and Nicky Butt had a really good season too.

thats true i rly never heard about Nicky Butt this season but they could put Kiern Dyer in the middle of the midfield!! and when Damien Duff comes back N'Zogbia will probably go to the bench

[kennethlindheim]

Sam Allardyce is hopeful Newcastle United are finally close to securing the signature of Joey Barton.

Newcastle have agreed a deal with Manchester City for the midfielder, but the move has hit a snag due to a wrangle over a pay-off.

Barton is demanding a £300,000 sum as part of a clause in his contract, but City do not feel the figure should be paid.

Allardyce is continuing his efforts to recruit new faces and is optimistic that Barton will soon be confirmed as a Magpies player.

"I'm not quite sure yet," Allardyce told Sky Sports News when asked when the transfer would be completed.

"Joey has gone on holiday, but I hope to try and tie it off today and finally make sure he is going to be a Newcastle player for next year.

"We have got Mark Viduka and this week we have been trying hard, but we haven't pulled anything off yet.

"I need to concentrate on defenders, we're very short in that area, so we will try and strengthen that department.

"I'd like to bring in at least a couple of centre-halves, a left-back and maybe a right-back to have enough players defensively minded to improve the Newcastle clean sheet record.

"That's going to be very important. We've got goalscorers at the other end, but we must sort out the defensive side of the team to make sure when we score goals we get the three points."

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[kennethlindheim]

Manchester City can confirm that Joey Barton has been sold to Newcastle United for a fee of £5.8million.

The 24-year-old asked for permission to speak with Newcastle last week after both the Magpies and West Ham submitted bids of £5.5million or more for the player.

Newcastle followed their initial bid up with an improved £5.8million offer today, which has been accepted by the Blues.

The midfielder came through the Club’s Academy system before making his debut against Bolton in April 2003.

His first goal for the club came just two games later at White Hart Lane, and he quickly established himself in Kevin Keegan’s side the following season.

Joey made 142 starts for the Blues scoring 17 goals, and he won one England cap when he came on as a substitute in February’s international against Spain.

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pa...=6&toyear=2007

Glad we've sorted it. But pretty s*** that we've had to pay his f****** clause off,