The future of Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton remains clouded.
The Daily Mail says Barton has been told he will not be offered a new contract with his existing deal due to expire at the end of next season.
He has insisted he will see out the last 12 months of his current agreement before leaving on a Bosman free transfer this time next year, although the decision not to extend his stay has sparked suggestions that the club will look to cash in on him now.
But claims that the 28-year-old has been made available for a cut-price fee have been strongly rebuffed with club sources insisting that only an offer in excess of £4million, some £1.8million less than they paid for him in June 2007, would give them cause for consideration.
