Explains in part why he left Bolton! Ever since joining New Castle, he could buy any player he wanted..
Great signings: Joey Barton and Mark Viduka.
Skysports.com can confirm Joey Barton is undergoing a medical with Newcastle.
Both West Ham and The Magpies have matched the £5.5million release clause stipulated in the midfielder's contract and Barton has spent the day on Tyneside talking with Sam Allardyce.
The Manchester City man - who will move on from Eastlands after his training ground bust-up with Ousmane Dabo - is now undertaking a medical at Newcastle ahead of any proposed move.
Barton's agent Willie McKay confirmed talks with Newcastle are progressing well and that the player has been impressed by what Allardyce's plans for Newcastle.
"Joey is up here at Newcastle at the moment having a look around the club," McKay told skysports.com.
"He is currently undergoing a medical and he has been impressed by what Sam Allardyce has told him what he plans to do at Newcastle.
"Newcastle are a massive club and Joey is happy that they are so interested in him."
"I am currently in negotiations with Newcastle now over a possible five-year deal."
West Ham could still make a late move to snatch Barton from under Newcastle's noses, after skysports.com revealed that the London club had emerged as rival suitors for his signature.
McKay revealed they are waiting to hear from West Ham and that he is hopeful of sorting Barton's future soon.
"We are waiting to talk to West Ham and I am hoping to have everything sorted soon," added McKay. The Hammers are also hoping to tie up a deal for Newcastle's Scott Parker having already agreed a fee for the England international.
Viduka looks set to move from Middlesbrough to Newcastle
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LONDON, June 5 (Reuters) - Newcastle United have "agreed in principle" to sign Australian striker Mark Viduka from north-east rivals Middlesbrough, British media reported on Tuesday.
Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton was in talks with Newcastle and was at St James' Park for a medical on Tuesday. Viduka scored 19 times for Middlesbrough in the season just ended and the club were keen to keep him at the Riverside.
Newcastle have twice tried to sign the 31-year-old who has also attracted interest from newly-promoted Birmingham City, West Ham United and Portsmouth.
Viduka, who will be in Australia's squad for the Asian Cup in July, joined Middlesbrough in July 2004 under then manager Steve McClaren in a 4.5 million pound ($8.97 million) deal from Leeds United.
If he moves to Newcastle, Viduka would play under new boss Sam Allardyce, who has also targetted Barton.
Manchester City were reported to be talking with both Newcastle and West Ham about Barton, who is facing police charges after allegedly assaulting City team mate Ousmane Dabo during training in April. Newcastle's moves for Viduka and Barton follow the departures of midfielder Scott Parker to West Ham and defender Titus Bramble to Wigan Athletic in the last week.
Great signings: Joey Barton and Mark Viduka.
Skysports.com can confirm Joey Barton is undergoing a medical with Newcastle.
Both West Ham and The Magpies have matched the £5.5million release clause stipulated in the midfielder's contract and Barton has spent the day on Tyneside talking with Sam Allardyce.
The Manchester City man - who will move on from Eastlands after his training ground bust-up with Ousmane Dabo - is now undertaking a medical at Newcastle ahead of any proposed move.
Barton's agent Willie McKay confirmed talks with Newcastle are progressing well and that the player has been impressed by what Allardyce's plans for Newcastle.
"Joey is up here at Newcastle at the moment having a look around the club," McKay told skysports.com.
"He is currently undergoing a medical and he has been impressed by what Sam Allardyce has told him what he plans to do at Newcastle.
"Newcastle are a massive club and Joey is happy that they are so interested in him."
"I am currently in negotiations with Newcastle now over a possible five-year deal."
West Ham could still make a late move to snatch Barton from under Newcastle's noses, after skysports.com revealed that the London club had emerged as rival suitors for his signature.
McKay revealed they are waiting to hear from West Ham and that he is hopeful of sorting Barton's future soon.
"We are waiting to talk to West Ham and I am hoping to have everything sorted soon," added McKay. The Hammers are also hoping to tie up a deal for Newcastle's Scott Parker having already agreed a fee for the England international.
Viduka looks set to move from Middlesbrough to Newcastle
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }
LONDON, June 5 (Reuters) - Newcastle United have "agreed in principle" to sign Australian striker Mark Viduka from north-east rivals Middlesbrough, British media reported on Tuesday.
Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton was in talks with Newcastle and was at St James' Park for a medical on Tuesday. Viduka scored 19 times for Middlesbrough in the season just ended and the club were keen to keep him at the Riverside.
Newcastle have twice tried to sign the 31-year-old who has also attracted interest from newly-promoted Birmingham City, West Ham United and Portsmouth.
Viduka, who will be in Australia's squad for the Asian Cup in July, joined Middlesbrough in July 2004 under then manager Steve McClaren in a 4.5 million pound ($8.97 million) deal from Leeds United.
If he moves to Newcastle, Viduka would play under new boss Sam Allardyce, who has also targetted Barton.
Manchester City were reported to be talking with both Newcastle and West Ham about Barton, who is facing police charges after allegedly assaulting City team mate Ousmane Dabo during training in April. Newcastle's moves for Viduka and Barton follow the departures of midfielder Scott Parker to West Ham and defender Titus Bramble to Wigan Athletic in the last week.
