Aston Villa, Burnley and Leeds United are reportedly keen on Joey Barton.
Former Rangers ace Gordon Smith has told the Sunday Post that he thinks Joey Barton could earn more money by leaving Ibrox and heading back to England in January.
Barton, 34, was suspended by Rangers back in September after a training ground bust-up with manager Mark Warburton and midfielder Andy Halliday, and after almost two months of being exiled, the midfielder was relieved from his suspension last week.
Joey Barton applauds fans as he is substituted
Barton was only able to train with the youth academy given that he’s set to leave Rangers, and The Scottish Sun reported on Tuesday that Barton will be given a £250,000 pay-off to leave the club immediately, ending his £18,000-a-week contract.
That will leave Barton to become a free agent, but given that he will be released outside of the transfer window, he will have to wait until the January transfer window before signing for a new club.
Rangers’ Joey Barton in action with Burnley’s Dean Marney
Already though, it seems that English clubs are lining up to sign Barton in January. The Mirror report that Aston Villa are interested and Barton’s former club Burnley are looking to re-sign him, whilst Herald Scotland report that Leeds United are also weighing up a move to sign the midfielder.
A proven Championship midfielder, Barton is bound to attract major interest despite his controversial spell at Ibrox, and one former Rangers ace believes the veteran stands to make more in England.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton with Joey Barton
Gordon Smith, who hit 35 goals in 98 games during his time as a Rangers player, has spoken to the Sunday Post about Barton’s situation, stating that the Gers must get the sorry mess sorted now and let Barton get his head right for a January move.
Smith added that he thinks that Barton’s profile is big enough to find a new club quickly, and even thinks that he could earn more money in his next move.
“Get it sorted now, and Joey can push on and get his head in the right place for a return to action at an English club post-January,” said Smith. “Burnley boss Sean Dyche has hinted he might be prepared to take him back to Turf Moor. Even if he is not, Barton’s profile is high enough that he will get himself a club without too much bother – quite possibly at more money than he is on just now,” he added.
Who do you think should sign Barton in January?
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