QPR boss Neil Warnock says new signing Joey Barton was always his priority.
Warnock has no qualms taking on the former Newcastle United midfielder.
He wrote in his column for the Independent: "He's a quality player who I've admired for a long time and it shows how far QPR have come that he is prepared to sign for us.
"I know he has some baggage, but let's be honest, if he didn't we would not be able to sign a player like him. In the past I've had players other managers have shied away from, like Paul Devlin, Michael Brown and our current keeper Paddy Kenny, even Adel Taarabt, who's not a rogue but needs looking after. They've all been superb for me. I see no reason why it should be different with Joey.
"I really do think Joey is one of the best midfielders in the country. When Tony Fernandes took over the club we spoke about Scott Parker. Tony's a West Ham fan and really admires Scott. He asked if he was my No 1 priority. I said Joey was my No 1, with Scotty a close second. When Joey was at Manchester City I tried to sign him for Sheffield United. Joey remembered that so he knew I meant it when I told him how much I wanted him."
