Seems odd and unwise. You're the co-owner of the club and you're exchanging pleasantries with a player who's supposed to be facing some sort of disciplinary action. Should we infer that Barton is not in the board's bad books? http://tinyurl.com/6rw4unk
Amit's manners are impeccable, probably think it rude not to reply, wouldn't read too much into it. One way or another, I reckon he's a goner.
At the place I work, if someone is facing disciplinary action, all non-work related chitchat with that person on the part of people senior to them is discouraged because of how it can muddy the waters. It's not a bad principle. Keeps things nice and simple.
Could be that they have already reached an amicable agreement that Barton will leave and make no demands on the club to pay his contract off. Just my little dream.......
I'm not really McDonalds calibre. I have to content myself with the role of junior assistant **** shoveller on a guano mound.