Marsh talks some bollocks in my opinion. Not saying Barton is anywhere near the player Keene was, but he IS A GOOD PLAYER.
According to the Telegraph Barton is being paid 80k per week http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...midfielder-Joey-Barton-in-talks-with-QPR.html
From above link: Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton in talks with QPR Joey Barton was in talks with Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night after he was offered an astonishing £80,000-a-week three-year deal by the newly-promoted Premier League club who are also set to submit an improved £7 million offer for another midfielder, Scott Parker, this week. Jason Burt By Jason Burt 10:02PM BST 24 Aug 2011 CommentsComment On Wednesday night Barton was undergoing a medical after agreeing personal terms on his free transfer to QPR. The moves in the transfer market came as Tony Fernandes, who took control of the club last week, fulfilled a promise to review ticket prices by offering a âsignificantâ refund to season-ticket holders while children under eight will be able to attend matches at Loftus Road for free. Manager Neil Warnock is planning to sign five new players before the transfer window closes with West Ham United having already rejected a bid of £4 million, plus £1 million if QPR avoid relegation, for Parker on the day of takeover. West Ham value the England international at £8 million, but might be tempted by an offer so close to their valuation, although it remains to be seen whether he wants to join QPR. Manchester City have made what was described, by West Ham sources, as a âvagueâ inquiry for Parker while there is still the possibility of Arsenal and Aston Villa submitting bids. QPR are also discussing offers for the City pair of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Nedum Onuoha as Warnock works to strengthen his squad given the clubâs new-found stability and the backing he has received. Itâs understood, however, that they may miss out on both signings with other clubs in the running. Fernandes has made around £10 million available but there is also the significant funds from being in the Premier League that have not been spent, while the Malaysian entrepreneur is keen to make at least one marquee signing to boost the club's profile as well as the chances of survival. Barton is available for free from Newcastle United and the 28 year-old travelled to London on Wednesday for talks after being granted permission to speak to QPR and being told he was not needed for his clubâs Carling Cup tie against S****horpe United tonight. Barton tweeted on Wednesday: âGoing for a medical now, still no contract offer from NUFC.......think that just about makes my mind up.â And then: âDonât want to leave Newcastle........Iâve made that clear but my hands are tied.â Barton signed for Newcastle for £5.8 million in 2007 but no fee is being demanded for a player who currently earns £60-65,000 a week. Barton has started both of Newcastleâs league games so far this season but that has not changed the clubâs stance that they would like him to leave this summer. The player has spoken about seeing out the final year of his contract but Newcastle want him to go now. It may well be that talks with QPR are designed to flush out further interest but there have been few genuine inquiries for Barton and, as things stand, itâs believed he will join the west London club. The review of ticket prices, meanwhile, will be well-received by supporters angered at the huge hikes announced following promotion. A 40 per cent rise was one of the reasons why Amit Bhatia resigned as QPRâs vice-chairman earlier this summer under the previous regime. Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who retains a 33 per cent stake, has returned since Fernandes paid £35 million to buy-out Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore. QPRâs new chief executive Phil Beard confirmed on Wednesday that the club will write to season-ticket holders to outline the extent of the refunds on offer. Tickets for QPRâs next home game against Newcastle United, for example are now £35-60 rather than £40-65. Refunds will be given to those who have bought tickets at the old prices. The headline figure in the summer was that Rangers fans would be charged up to £72 for the most expensive ticket at Loftus Road and despite the move a platinum ticket for a category A game at QPR (against Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool) will still cost £70, with the cheapest tickets for those games £45. Beard announced that the club would be reducing match-day ticket prices, introducing a third match-day pricing category and letting children under eight attend home fixtures for free in specified areas of the stadium, so long as they were accompanied by a full paying adult.
