Barton: "The fans are different class with me and I am keen to stay."

It looks like Joey Barton has agreed to sign a new contract, although nothing has yet been confirmed officially by either the player or the club. However, Barton has said that a deal has been agreed in principle.

It's been no secret that Joey would like to sign a new deal with Newcastle, although the recent sale of Andy Carroll could have potentially put a spanner in the works. Evidently it did for while, according to Barton, but whilst talking to NUFCtv after the amazing 4-4 draw with Arsenal yesterday, Joey was keen to put things right.

"As far as I'm aware, I had agreed in principle to sign a deal. I want to stay at this football club - I have stated that on numerous occasions," said Barton.

"When stuff happens like what happened during the week, then obviously you think, 'Hang on a minute, what is going on here? Is this the right move? Is this the right decision to make? But I am enjoying my football here. I love living in the city, the fans are brilliant with me - I feel I am building a real rapport with them."

Joey Barton has been an important player for us this season and is starting to repay both the faith and the £5.8 million transfer fee that has been invested in the lad. He could be an important player for us for the next few years, but he does admit that he had reservations about signing the new deal when he first heard about the departure of Andy Carroll.

"Obviously I am disappointed that Andy has gone, as are a number of people in there, because we felt he was a big part of us building a successful football club. But I am told they are going to re-invest the money and as long as that happens, I don't think there will be a problem if they invest the money quite wisely."

"But that's not my job, my job is to turn up and play football. I did think a little bit, 'Is this the right move to make?', but I owe a lot to this football club for giving me the chances after I have let them down in the past. The fans are different class with me and I am keen to stay."

So there you go. Now it's up to the club to sign him up and for both parties to agree the deal officially. As I wrote earlier though, Enrique and Tiote being signed up would be nice.

With the deal sounding so close it could hopefully be confirmed this week and give us some good news with regard to playing staff. Of course, you could look at it cynically and suggest that Barton signing a new deal will increase any potential sale price such is the feeling going around Tyneside at the moment.

Barton continued:

"It makes a massive statement to everyone if I was to not sign a contract and say, 'I am going to wait' and blah, blah, blah. Maybe a few other people would be waiting and saying, 'Let's just see what's going to happen'. But I am keen to get it signed, draw a line under it and let's start moving this football club back in the right direction."

He's not a bad lad that Joey!