Updated: 5.48pm
NEWCASTLE UNITED HAVE placed midfielder Joey Barton on the transfer list and told him he can leave on a free transfer.
In a short statement on the club website, they explained: “Newcastle United can confirm that Joey Barton has been placed on the transfer list today. The player has been advised that he can leave the club on a free transfer.”
Barton later hit out at the club, writing,: “Somewhere in those high echelons of NUFC, they have decided, I am persona non grata. I am on a free but the honour of wearing those B+W stripes, surpasses that.
“One day the board might realise, what the shirt signifies. HONOUR and PRIDE. Thanks for your continued support……….. #toonarmy.”
Earlier, Barton informed those on Twitter that he’d make an announcement at 4pm.
The controversial, one-time England man has earned followers through his humour, twitpics with Morrissey and philosophy lessons on the social networking site.
The Liverpudlian yesterday tweeted a series of fairly cryptic messages in which he alluded to problems behind the scenes at St James’ Park. Barton initially wrote yesterday: “If only we as players could tell the fans exactly how it is, without them above fining us lots of money. There will be a time and a place.”
He referred to team-mate Jose Enrique’s recent fine for critical tweeting: “If it wouldn’t effect team morale and cause unrest within the dressing room, am certain Jose’s comments would be the tip of the iceberg…..
“If I wanted to leave, I’d just come out and say ‘I want to leave’. Things need addressing as am not prepared to go through a relegation again.”
This afternoon he added: “I wont be commenting on situation at Newcastle again, as I feel it helps nobody and serves no purpose. Hope u all understand,” but then added, a mere 30 minutes later: “I will be making an announcement regarding my future, on here at 4pm today……..”
Barton has just a year left on his Newcastle contract but claimed recently he had no interest in a move elsewhere.