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發表於 2007-6-15 07:58:31
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Barton joins Newcastle for £5.8million
Joey Barton finally completed his move to Newcastle tonight after the club increased their bid to £5.8million.
The 24-year-old, who agreed to join the Magpies last week, has signed a five-year contract following a hold-up over a £300,000 payment to which he believed he was contractually obliged from Manchester City.
However, Newcastle, who along with West Ham had triggered talks by offering £5.5million or more for the England international, today increased their initial bid to make the breakthrough hours after manager Sam Allardyce revealed the matter could be resolved within the day.
A statement released on City's official website and confirmed by the Magpies, said: 'Manchester City can confirm that Joey Barton has been sold to Newcastle United for a fee of £5.8million.
'The 24-year-old asked for permission to speak with Newcastle last week after both the Magpies and West Ham submitted bids of £5.5million or more for the player.
'Newcastle followed their initial bid up with an improved £5.8million offer today, which has been accepted by the Blues.'
Barton decided to join Newcastle after meeting Allardyce, chairman Freddy Shepherd and prospective owner Mike Ashley last week.
However, the outstanding payment, covered by a clause in the player's contract, remained a stumbling block as Barton argued he was entitled to the money as he had not asked for a transfer.
City insisted his decision to seek permission to speak to the Magpies and the Hammers was tantamount to the same thing.
City remained adamant throughout that they would not be paying up and the midfielder's agent, Willie McKay, requested the assistance of the Professional Footballers' Association as the parties attempted to find a way forward.
The deal, which is reputedly worth around £60,000 a week to Barton, was never likely to be scuppered by the wrangle, although Newcastle have moved decisively to end the uncertainty with City the subject of a takeover saga and looking to recruit a new manager.
Barton's departure from Eastlands became almost inevitable after he was suspended by the club following a training-ground incident involving team-mate Ousmane Dabo.
West Ham were ready to offer him a big-money move to Upton Park, but Allardyce was first to the punch and so impressed him during his short time on Tyneside that agreement was reached swiftly.
Barton's reputation precedes him after a series of unsavoury incidents during his career to date, but the new Newcastle boss has already impressed upon him the need to control himself and is confident he can get the best out of a player with undoubted talent.
The breakthrough was confirmed as another of the club's major targets, Tal Ben Haim, headed instead for Chelsea.
The 25-year-old Israel international was high on Allardyce's wish list as he looks for defensive reinforcements, but he admitted he had lost out to the Blues earlier today with the Londoners confirming the transfer this evening.
Allardyce said: 'We have had a long, hard go, but I think the lure of the Champions League has perhaps just pipped me at the post.'
The manager's disappointment on that front will be offset by the success of his moves for Barton and Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka, and he will now turn his attention to his remaining defensive targets.
He has admitted his interest in Paris St Germain's David Rozehnal, although is facing competition from Borussia Dortmund, while he is also tracking Marseille's Habib Beye and Liverpool's Sami Hyypia.
Allardyce will hope to have all his acquisitions in place by the time the new season gets under way on August 11, ironically with a trip to his former club Bolton.
Reacting to the co-incidence, he told the club's official website 'It's amazing really, it's just unbelievable. You really couldn't make it up.
'I guess there would always be a lot of interest in the first time I played Bolton since leaving, but it's quite incredible it will be the first day of the season.
'They will be right up for beating me, but hopefully we will start the season well and get a result.' |
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