Barton has medical at Newcastle

Joey Barton was undergoing a medical at Newcastle this afternoon as the Magpies attempted to push through a £5.5m deal for the Manchester City midfielder.

The 24-year-old England international headed away from the club’s Darsley Park training headquarters with physio Derek Wright after holding talks with manager Sam Allardyce.

Barton’s arrival earlier had coincided with his agent Willie McKay opening negotiations with the Magpies’ hierarchy at St James’ Park after City gave permission to both Newcastle and West Ham to talk to him.

Allardyce has made the controversial midfielder one of his key targets for the summer and, with the Hammers reportedly read to offer him a lucrative package to opt for Upton Park instead, he has made his move.

Newcastle spent yesterday thrashing out the financial side of the proposed transfer with City after agreeing to match their valuation in two instalments.

It is now up to Allardyce to persuade the England international he can fulfil his potential on Tyneside, while also convincing the club’s fans that the baggage he would bring with him is not an issue.

Barton could become the club’s first summer signing after the departures of Titus Bramble, Antoine Sibierski, Craig Moore, Pavel Srnicek, Oivier Bernard and Oguchi Onyewu.

However, he would certainly not be the last with Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka understood to have agreed in principle to head for St James’.

A statement on the City website, www.mcfc.co.uk, revealed: “We can confirm that Joey Barton has requested permission to speak to two clubs.

“Newcastle and West Ham have submitted bids of £5.5m or more for the player’s services.”