Media reports, both today and over the weekend, have suggested that Blues are keen on taking the 26-year-old former Manchester City midfielder on a season long loan deal.
However, Blues would not be able to match the estimated £60,000-a-week that Barton earns with Newcastle although they could be preared to pay half of that wage should Newcastle decide they would meet the other half of his salary.Debut Apps (+ sub) Goals Yellows Reds 22 Oct 2007 26 (6) 2 6 1 05 Apr 2003 142 (11) 17 43 3 First App. Apps (+ sub) Goals Yellows Reds 30 Aug 2008 6 (3) 1 2 1 22 Oct 2007 20 (3) 1 4 0 20 Aug 2006 38 (0) 7 11 1 13 Aug 2005 36 (0) 6 11 1 14 Aug 2004 30 (3) 2 9 0 14 Aug 2003 31 (8) 1 10 1 05 Apr 2003 7 (0) 1 2 0