JOEY BARTON

Last updated : 26 January 2006 By Ed

From The Sun:

Joey Barton is ready to reject Manchester City's offer of a new contract.

City boss Stuart Pearce has opened talks with the midfielder over a new four-year deal - and is happy to double his wages from £15,000 a week to £30,000.

SunSport understands Barton, 23, is going to turn down the offer, worth a total of £6million, because he wants more.

And The Mirror:

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has rejected a £4.5million move to Premiership strugglers Middlesbrough.

Barton, 23 was given permission to speak to the Teesside club following prolonged negotiations between the two clubs more than a week ago.

But the reformed midfielder, who turned to Tony Adams's Sporting Chance Clinic to clean his act up after he faced the sack over a series of unsavoury bust-ups, is likely to be rewarded with a new contract for remaining loyal to City.