Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is planning a move for Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton.
The Daily Star Sunday says McLeish is ready to tempt Newcastle with a £3million bid for Barton.
Toon bad boy Barton, 28 has seen a contract offer withdrawn by the Mike Ashley regime and expects to leave on a free when his current deal runs out next summer.
But Newcastle would rather cash in now on the midfielder, who this week spoke out against the club's controversial decision to sell skipper and fellow Scouser Kevin Nolan to West Ham in a deal worth around £4m.
Everton have been strongly linked with boyhood Goodison fan Barton.
