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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Barton happy to stay at Man City | Barton happy to stay at Man City |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton insists he is happy to stay at the club despite interest from Everton. | |
| The Toffees have been told Barton is not for sale despite a clause in the 24-year-old's contract allowing him to speak to any club offering City £5.5m. | The Toffees have been told Barton is not for sale despite a clause in the 24-year-old's contract allowing him to speak to any club offering City £5.5m. |
| After City beat Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, Barton said: "I have stated on record I don't want to leave. | After City beat Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, Barton said: "I have stated on record I don't want to leave. |
| "I am totally settled. We are going in the right direction and I have got a manager who believes in me." | "I am totally settled. We are going in the right direction and I have got a manager who believes in me." |
| City boss Stuart Pearce welcomed Barton's commitment to the cause, saying: "Credit to him for speaking out. He has got frustrated and irritated with the speculation. | |
| "The main thing as a pro is being happy. All the rest follows. | "The main thing as a pro is being happy. All the rest follows. |
| "He is playing extremely well and I mentioned England before Christmas. He is getting better and better. | "He is playing extremely well and I mentioned England before Christmas. He is getting better and better. |
| "Joey knows full well he has the backing of a manager that holds him in high esteem." | "Joey knows full well he has the backing of a manager that holds him in high esteem." |
| Everton had targeted Barton to strengthen their midfield with boss David Moyes hoping that his lifelong allegiance to the club could tempt him to switch to Goodison Park. | Everton had targeted Barton to strengthen their midfield with boss David Moyes hoping that his lifelong allegiance to the club could tempt him to switch to Goodison Park. |
| Barton's agent Willie McKay had earlier refused to rule out a move, saying the clause in Barton's contract meant he could speak to whoever met the asking price. | Barton's agent Willie McKay had earlier refused to rule out a move, saying the clause in Barton's contract meant he could speak to whoever met the asking price. |
| McKay told BBC Sport: "This is Joey Barton's clause, not Manchester City's and it is a clause they were happy to put in. | McKay told BBC Sport: "This is Joey Barton's clause, not Manchester City's and it is a clause they were happy to put in. |
| "If a club offers £5.5m, it is Joey's right to speak to that club if he wants to, or not if he doesn't want to." | "If a club offers £5.5m, it is Joey's right to speak to that club if he wants to, or not if he doesn't want to." |
| Moyes hoped to fund the swoop for Barton by off-loading Simon Davies to Fulham in a deal worth around £3m. | Moyes hoped to fund the swoop for Barton by off-loading Simon Davies to Fulham in a deal worth around £3m. |
| 606: DEBATE It would be a good move for Barton, might push his England chances up slightly CWB 606: Have your say | 606: DEBATE It would be a good move for Barton, might push his England chances up slightly CWB 606: Have your say |
| Fulham are understood to have offered just over £2m for Davies, who has struggled since his move to Everton from Spurs in May 2005. | Fulham are understood to have offered just over £2m for Davies, who has struggled since his move to Everton from Spurs in May 2005. |
| But Fulham boss Chris Coleman, a fellow Welshman, is still an admirer of Davies and is expected to pursue the deal, releasing cash that Everton would use to land Barton. | But Fulham boss Chris Coleman, a fellow Welshman, is still an admirer of Davies and is expected to pursue the deal, releasing cash that Everton would use to land Barton. |
| Ironically, Barton was fined £2,000 and warned as to his future conduct after baring his backside at Everton fans following the Premiership match at Goodison Park on 30 September. | Ironically, Barton was fined £2,000 and warned as to his future conduct after baring his backside at Everton fans following the Premiership match at Goodison Park on 30 September. |
| City star Barton, who is tipped for an England call-up after impressing coach Steve McClaren, has been linked with Newcastle United but their interest has cooled. | City star Barton, who is tipped for an England call-up after impressing coach Steve McClaren, has been linked with Newcastle United but their interest has cooled. |