Barton deal 'not black and white' - PFA - Sport in brief

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And the fear is that the deal could turn out to be the most difficult of the summer so far as Manchester City dig their heels in and refuse to pay the midfielder £300,000 he believes he should get from a 'signing on fee' clause in his contract at Eastlands.

PFA official Mick McGuire, who is handling the mediation after Barton and his agent Willie McKay asked for the assistance of the players' union, said: "We are looking for an amicable conclusion to this."

He added: "I have spoken to Joey, his agent and Alistair Mackintosh (City's chief executive) and I also intend talking to Sam Allardyce at Newcastle.

"But this is not an easy situation because City believe Joey is not entitled to the money, because it was the player who triggered to move by activating the part of his contract that says he can talk to other clubs who bid £5.5million.

"City believe that by doing that, he effectively asked for a transfer."

And there is also a belief that City do not really want to sell the player, certainly for such a relatively low fee and would prefer for everything to be delayed until new owners and - more importantly - a new manager is appointed at Eastlands.

Barton agreed to the move to St James' Park last week, but so far the deal has not been concluded because City are refusing to budge on the £300,000 Barton believes he is entitled to.

McGuire said: "This is a signing-on fee, not a loyalty bonus. This does not seem to be black and white, certainly as far as City are concerned.

"At the moment we (PFA) are looking for a way forward that will be acceptable to everyone."