Queens Park Rangers chief rules out Barton departure
QPR chief executive Phillip Beard has put an end to speculation suggesting that skipper Joey Barton is on his way out of Loftus Road.
The 29-year-old had been linked with a move, suggesting that new boss Mark Hughes is ready to move him on, claiming the midfielder is unlikely to feature in Hughes’ long-term plans.
But Beard told BBC Sport that he was “flabbergasted” to hear the news.
“I can categorically tell you there’s been no discussions in the time I’ve spent with Mark or his team this week about anyone leaving,” he added.
“[Barton] is the captain, he came in the summer and is part of the building work we want to do.
Beard continued to say “He has been fantastic in my six months at the club.”
Beard concluded by stating that Rangers were in fact looking to expand their squad by bringing in new faces during the January transfer window, rather than depleting it.
Barton has been an ever-lasting player in the Rangers’ first-team since his summer move from Newcastle, making 16 appearances in which he has scored 2 goals in.
“We are not a selling club,” he stated. “We’re in the market to buy one or two players.
“We’re talking to several clubs about options, so I’m cautiously optimistic that we can strengthen the squad.”
