The race for Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton is heating up.
The Daily Mail says West Ham United and Aston Villa are ready to rekindle their interest in Barton but could face competition from Blackburn Rovers, whose new owners are looking to splash the clash in the transfer window.
Barton is happy at Newcastle and Toon boss Alan Pardew has made it clear he wants to keep him but the midfielder is understood to want assurances about the club's ambitions.
West Ham, Villa and Blackburn are all proposing re-building projects with the 28-year-old primed for a starring role.
