Heading for Anfield? Barton is being eyed by Liverpool
boss Dalglish
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is considering
a £5million move for
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton.
Dalglish has long followed the
28-year-old's progress and, while he recognises such a move would
be controversial, he believes Barton's ability merits serious
consideration.
Dalglish wants to bring in
around six signings this summer, with Blackburn's Phil Jones,
Blackpool's Charlie Adam, Aston Villa's Ashley Young and Stewart
Downing and Ipswich's Connor Wickham among his targets.
He is keen to return a strong
British identity to the squad and sees room for Barton's feisty
style.
The Liverpudlian has not
always endeared himself to the Anfield faithful. He was sent off
for a lunge at Xabi Alonso on his last visit and clashed with
Fernando Torres during Newcastle's 3-1 home victory over Liverpool
last December.
Singled out: Dalglish has a number of new recruits he
would like to bring to Anfield in the summer
But Dalglish feels
Barton could add an edge to his side and help bring the best out of
£35m record signing Andy Carroll.
Barton, who will have 12
months left on his contract at St James' Park by the summer, set up
eight goals for the England striker in his time at
Newcastle.
Seeing red: Barton was sent off for a crunching tackle
on Alonso in 2009