Allardyce 'flabbergasted' by City over Barton

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has hit out at Manchester City over the cash wrangle which is delaying his capture of midfielder Joey Barton.

The 24-year-old agreed his £5.5m move to St James’ Park last week, but a row over a £300,000 pay-off to which he was contractually entitled if he was sold without asking for a transfer has prevented the deal going through.