West Ham back in for Barton

West Ham are set to reignite their interest in Joey Barton.

The East Londoners are monitoring the situation regarding the controversial midfielder, who has yet to sign a new contract at Newcastle.

The Championship side discussed a move for Barton earlier this month, when the Magpies first made it clear earlier that they had made him available on a free transfer.

At the time, the Hammers' interest in the player is said to have been described as “lukewarm”.

Now, however, they are waiting to see if a club in the Premier League's top four moves for Barton, or whether he would be up for the challenge of dropping down a division again.

A move to Upton Park would see his midfielder reunited with his former Newcastle team-mate Kevin Nolan and Sam Allardyce, the manager who brought him to the Toon from Manchester City.

In West Ham’s eyes, Barton’s considerable baggage is offset by his ability and the success of his relationship with Nolan, which helped Newcastle gain promotion from the Championship two seasons ago.

When Nolan - on a four-year deal worth £55,000-a-week - was sold by the Geordies, Barton tweeted: “’Great player, leader, captain, person, trainer and mostly a friend for life.”

Barton has big fans within the boardroom at Upton Park, but would have to accept a massive cut in wages currently said to be in the region of £80,000-a-week.

The star has a house in Newmarket, a Suffolk town that is less than an hour's drive from the Hammers’ training ground.

But any West Ham move for him could hinge on whether Scott Parker remains at the club.

 

He wouldn't drop a league, even said so. Non starter.

 

I hope Allardyce chokes on his chewing gum.

 

I doubt Barton would want to play in the championship with Prem offers coming in. There is the Nolan link, but personally I think he'll stay at least until Jan

 

Ditto.

 

the prem offers were wigan and stoke i think i'd even drop a division than play for them but i don't think this will happen

 

Barton is under no obligation to leave. He still has a contract and can choose not to be pushed

 

jose said he wanted champions league football ......money talks and a nice long contract

 

This....unfortunatley. If the money is right, and the contract is long enough I think Mr Barton would be very quick to jump ship. Despite his claims of affection for the club.

 

Yes but dropping from CL clubs to a club that will likely be in the CL club at the end of the season, isn't a big drop in your ambition. Dropping from mid table in the PL to ****ing Allerdyce's hoof ball championship team is a considerable drop.

 

West Ham are ****ing idiots, he'll only leave this summer if it's for a significantly better side.

 

I can't stand the sight or sound of Fat Sam, I certainly wouldn't want to be told what to do and how to do it by the nincompoop.

 

was anyone actually pleased when he came here

 

Not at all really

 

Not happening, Champions League not Championship. He's here for the season.

 

if he went to west ham then it shows yet another example of the crap that comes out of players mouth's

 

Here's the supposed logic in this rumour;

Barton = Transfer listed.

Barton + Nolan= Friends.

Barton (Free Signing) + Nolan + WHU= Best Friends Forever!

 

I thought Barton was on £65k per week?

Can't see him dropping a division as his agent has already stated that he's got the easiest job in football finding him a new club and the phone hasn't stopped ringing.

I hate those automated messages as well. He should get onto the TPS to get his number removed.

Likely he'll stay until January or leave just before this transfer window closes if the club is right for him.

 

Just a non starter, he wouldn't even give them a 2nd thought to be honest. Even if they were in the PL I think he'd be "lukewarm" to the idea. I think he wants to stay and try and find a way to get a contract. Personally I think he may be underestimating the pettiness of a billionnaire but time will tell.

 

Hopefully Joey shows the powers that be how important he is to us this season. If he stays and the LB and Striker arrive there's no reason why we can't (at a push) sneak our way into the top 8 and an outside chance of the EUROPA League, then things may be re-evaluated.

It sounds ambitious, but if you think that Man U, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs have the top six sown up, our strongest competition for 7th and 8th would be Fulham realistically. With new additions + Ben Arfa it could happen.