Leeds may not be able to afford a deal for Joey Barton, according to reports.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds’ interest in signing free agent midfielder Joey Barton could be scuppered by his wage demands.
Barton, 32, is a free agent having left Queens Park Rangers earlier this summer, and will now be looking for a new club ahead of next season.
The outspoken midfielder will have interest despite his controversial manner, and odds from Sky Bet have Leeds as the 2/1 favourite to land his signature.
The Whites have already signed youngsters Charlie Horton and Lee Erwin this summer, but new manager Uwe Rosler may look to bring in some experience now.
However, the Yorkshire Evening Post report that Leeds are ‘highly unlikely’ to sign Barton, given that his excessive wage demands won’t fit into Leeds’ budget.
It’s unclear just how much interest Leeds really have in Barton, but the report states that the wage demands make any move inconceivable.
Signing Barton not the right move
Barton has played in the Premier League for some time now, but that experience doesn’t necessarily mean that he would be the veteran leader needed at Elland Road.
Barton has a notoriously short temper and is an outspoken character, something Leeds don’t need as they look to develop young midfielders Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook.
Leeds should be looking for a midfielder with a better character than Barton, whose alleged wage demands exceed his quality at this stage in his career. Rosler needs some experience, but Barton shouldn’t be a target this summer.
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