Deal struck for Barton?

The whole Joey Barton contract saga has gone on for long enough now, although hopefully there is an end in sight to the whole on-off affair.

I really want Joey Barton to stay at NUFC. He has been fantastic for the majority of this season, but it's more than just his performances on the pitch that I feel we'd miss if he ever left St James' Park as Barton has become a sort of status symbol for the new Newcastle United. Having said that, I was starting to get frustrated with the delay in new contract negotiations and just wanted it sorted either way.

Well according to rumours and word on the street it has been sorted. Yesterday in fact. I've heard two versions, but both versions involve Joey Barton signing a new contract with Newcastle. Now nothing is official so don't get carried away, but I may as well share what I've heard.

Apparently, Barton has signed a four-year deal with Newcastle although I've also asked about and it seems that other people have heard that it is a three-year deal with the option of a fourth year.

Make of it what you will, but I'd be delighted if it was true. Hopefully it and we can chalk Joey off as one of the players that we need to stay being sorted. I'll wait until it's all official before I pop the party poppers though.

Jose next please ;)