Newcastle United are prepared to sell Joey Barton for a cut-price £1 million.
The Mirror says owner Mike Ashley decided he would cash in on the midfield warrior, who was a key part of the club's success last season but can now leave to get his wages off the payroll.
Barton has the option of hanging on for a year and leaving for nothing but the Toon will sell him sooner, to get rid of his £60,000-a-week salary
Astonishingly, Barton may be sold for as little as £1million if a buyer comes in now, as cash-conscious Newcastle face having to pay him around £250,000 a month over the close-season.
