Premiership trio in race for Barton

Aston Villa, Newcastle and Middlesbrough are ready to tempt Manchester City with a £5.5million bid for Joey Barton.

The Liverpool-born midfielder, whose outstanding form has pushed him to the brink of the England squad, handed in a transfer request last January that triggered offers from Middlesbrough and Rangers.

The moves failed to materialise however and he was castigated by City fans. Yet he made his peace with the club and signed a new four year deal at Eastlands in July before re-establishing himself as a crowd favourite.

Barton, 24, has had a colourful past, including a £2,000 FA fine this season for showing his backside at Everton fans, but his maturing attitude has re-ignited interest in his talents as a footballer.

Now Villa, Newcastle and Boro are prepared to trigger the £5.5m get-out clause in his contract and boost his wages beyond £35,000 a week.