Source: FOOTYMAD
Ashley To Throw Crumbs To Keep The Geordies Quiet
Alan Pardew is trying to recruit Switzerland winger Tranquillo Barnetta to replace Joey Barton, now that Mike Ashley is forced back into the transfer market. On another turbulent day on Tyneside, Barton was informed by Mike Ashley that the club have put him on the transfer list. So far this summer they have not had a single enquiry about the midfielder after they put a £6m price tag on his shoulders. But on a free transfer, the club anticipate interest. Stoke City, Aston Villa and Arsenal have all been linked with the player but Spurs look to be favourites. It is a messy way for Barton’s Newcastle career to end but it was also inevitable too. Barton felt Mike Ashley and his Cockney Mafia lacked football knowledge and ambition following the departures of Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan ... with Jose Enrique next to jump ship. The move is certain to force Ashley back into the transfer market - if only to try and keep the Geordie hate mob quiet - and a move has been lined up for Bayer Leverkusen’s Barnetta. United’s drastic action came after a short meeting yesterday morning to discuss Barton’s latest attack on the board via his Twitter account. Also taken into account was a furious address from Barton to his team-mates in the Elland Road dressing room following the disappointing 3-2 defeat to Leeds on Sunday. Ashley has tried to break up the 'clique' of Carroll, Nolan, Barton, Enrique and Smith ... saying behind closed doors that they are a collective "loose cannon". Carroll has gone to Liverpool; Nolan to West Ham; and the other three are not expected to be Newcastle players when the transfer window closes.
