Newcastle United are set to seal a £5.5m deal for Joey Barton.
The Manchester City midfielder completed a medical on Tyneside and opted to head to become Sam Allardyce’s first signing rather than follow up West Ham United’s interest.
“Joey has agreed personal terms and is happy to join the club,” Barton’s agent Willie McKay told BBC Sport.
Barton signed a five-year deal, believed to be worth £70,000 a week in wages, is expected to be joined at St James’ by the Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka.
The controversial midfielder spent the early part of the afternoon in discussions with Allardyce at the club’s training ground before leaving for his medical. Meanwhile McKay was negotiating personal terms which included a clause protecting the club in the event of the player being sent to prison this year. The midfielder is on police bail after an alleged assault on his City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.
