The midfielder has been linked with a move to Leeds United, as he awaits the termination of his contract at Rangers.
The Scottish Herald are linking Leeds United with a January move for Joey Barton, whose contract is expected to be terminated by Rangers on Wednesday.
It’s not the most concrete rumour we’ve heard, and the fact that it doesn’t seem to have gained much traction suggests there’s perhaps not a lot of truth involved.
Nevertheless, it has posed an interesting question: Would you take Barton at Leeds?
In footballing terms, it might not be the worst thing for the Whites to employ a man with three promotions on his CV – the most recent of which was with Burnley last season.
That said, if there’s one area in which Leeds are especially strong it’s in the centre or midfield, where neither Matt Grimes, Luke Murphy nor Toumani Diagouraga can get a look-in as it is.
There are, however, few free agents around of Barton’s quality, and someone, perhaps one of Leeds’ promotion rivals, will snap him up if the Whites don’t.
But let’s not forget – if that’s even possible – the reason why Barton will shortly be unemployed. What impact would a notoriously disruptive influence have on what is perhaps Leeds’ most harmonious squad of recent times?
The reality is there will always be a debate where Barton is concerned, but which side are you on?
Here’s what Leeds fans have been saying on Twitter:
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