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Barton has been in good form since his move to QPR. on Buckle/PA Wire/Press Association Images
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Gervinho incident cost me Arsenal move - Barton

The player has claimed he was in talks with Arsene Wenger prior to his QPR move.

QPR MIDFIELDER JOEY Barton has claimed he was on the verge of signing for Arsenal, before an unsavoury incident with striker Gervinho during the club’s encounter with Newcastle brought a halt to the deal.

Barton, who was reacting to what he perceived to be a dive by Gervinho, was alleged to have gone down easily in order to get the Ivory Coast star sent off during the game – an offence that he later admitted to.

And speaking to BBC Sport, Barton said his behaviour put paid to any hopes of a move to Arsene Wenger’s side:

“If I hadn’t played against Arsenal, I may have signed for them. There were a couple of conversations with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger but that’s different to actually signing.”

Barton recently signed for QPR on a free transfer from Newcastle.

And the move has not lessened his tendency to be attracted to controversy, as the star has recently become embroiled in a spat with Wolves’ Karl Henry.

For more information, read BBC Sport>

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