Ex-NUFC captain and current Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has confirmed that he’s hoping to bring former Mag Joey Barton to the club this summer.
Barton is currently a free agent, having been banned by the FA for breaking betting rules last year and having his contract terminated by Burnley back in April 2017 as a result.
His ban will be lifted on June 1st, meaning he will be free to sign for a new club this summer – and former teammate Kevin Nolan (a good friend of his) is clearly keen to be reunited with him at Meadow Lane.
Here’s what Nolan said to BBC Radio Nottingham about the potential signing of Barton:
“Me and Joey are good friends. He is a top player, a top lad and I really get on well with him.
“We will always be in touch so let’s see what happens.
“Joey is probably going to want to play at a higher level. And if that doesn’t come to fruition then I am sure there will be a conversation in the summer.
“He describes himself as Joey on the pitch and Joseph off it and I respect both of them very highly.”
Although his ban has meant he’s been out of professional football for over a year, Nolan is clearly concerned that Joey will be looking to play at a higher level than League Two – but he’s clearly going to give him a call!
With former Mags Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith already playing in the black and white of Notts County, Nolan’s side is fast becoming the squad that got us promoted from the Championship in the 2009/10 season!
Add Barton to that list and they’d have FOUR Newcastle United players who played a big part in our title winning season in the second tier almost 10 years ago.
