QPR in move for Newcastle's Barton

Queens Park Rangers are in talks with Newcastle's controversial midfielder Joey Barton about a possible transfer to the newly promoted Premier League side, it was reported here Wednesday. The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract at St James' Park and has been made available on a free transfer after criticising the Magpies this summer. According to Britain's Press Association QPR have made an approach for Barton, and the Loftus Road side have been given permission to talk to the player. Barton fell out of favour with his manager Alan Pardew and club officials after a number of outbursts on the social networking site Twitter venting his frustration at Newcastle's transfer policy. Despite the high profile falling out Pardew has subsequently made overtures to Barton suggesting the row may not signal the end of Barton's time at the north-east side.