AN ARTICLE BY Louise Taylor in today’s Guardian claims that Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is still determined to offload Joey Barton, in spite of increased speculation regarding the possibility of a truce between the two parties.

Wary of the midfielder’s detrimental effect on team morale, Pardew will apparently continue with his quarantine of the midfielder until he leaves the northern club. Barton has already spent the week following his reprimand for public criticism of the club training in isolation.

Though that aspect of the club’s punishment was initially conceived of as an interim measure, it looks as if it could be set to continue for the foreseeable future. After the player’s agent, Willie McKay, claimed earlier in the week that as many as six top-flight clubs were anxious to secure Barton’s services for next season, it appears that only Stoke City are willing to publicly declare an interest.

Should opportunities in the Premier League continue to prove unforthcoming, it’s believed that Sam Allardyce would be willing to reunite the midfielder with his former captain and midfield partner Kevin Nolan at West Ham United, though such a move would be contingent on the Barton’s willingness to accept a significant wage reduction.

For more information read this story by Louise Taylor in today’s Guardian>

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