Dalglish joins race for Newcastle midfielder

Liverpool have reportedly joined their Premier League rivals in the race for Newcastle's exit-bound midfielder Joey Barton.

The St James' Park club announced on Monday that their Player of the Year Barton had been made available on a free transfer despite the 28-year-old having one year left on his contract.

A combination of his outspoken views on the club's transfer policy and a failure to agree new terms meant the Newcastle board grew tired of Barton and are now willing to let him leave for nothing.

Despite his colourful past, the former Manchester City player is highly-regarded as a footballer and has been attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs.

Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton and Stoke were all reported to have made enquiries, with Spurs thought to be the first club to make contact with Barton.

However, the Evening Chronicle has claimed Liverpool have now become shock contenders to sign a player who is a boyhood fan of arch rivals Everton.

The Anfield club will be without their talismanic midfielder Steven Gerrard until September with the captain suffering from an infection which will keep him out for the beginning of the season.

And manager Kenny Dalglish is reportedly interested in Barton as the ideal cover for Gerrard.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have edged closer to the signing of Barton's teammate Jose Enrique after an £8m fee was agreed for the defender.

The Merseyside club will hope to tie the deal up by the end of the week and the Spaniard will be expected to fill the left-back vacancy.

Source: Sportsvibe

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