Released by Rangers yesterday, former Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren could move to sign Joey Barton at Derby County this winter, report Chronicle Live.
Despite having already represented the Magpies between 2007 and 2011, Barton was a transfer target for McClaren in his failed spell as Newcastle United boss last summer.
With Aston Villa, Burnley and Leeds United having all been linked with Barton in the midst of his Ibrox exit, the fact McClaren already tried to land Barton suggests he may be interested this time around.
Previously speaking about the Magpies’ interest in a transfer reunion, Barton claimed: “He obviously lost his job at Derby, and wanted to sign me for Newcastle.
A key cog in Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League last term, there is no doubting that Barton boasts the skill and experience to get out of the Championship.
With the Rams currently sixteenth in the table but only six points off the playoff places, somebody like Barton could help fill the void left by Jeff Hendrick in the summer.