McKay: Barton has to move

Barton is due to face an internal disciplinary hearing next week into his assault on Dabo, which, in the Frenchman's own words, left him looking "like the Elephant Man".

McKay told TALKSport: "Joey's definitely going to have to move on and he is in big demand."

Dabo has already spoken to local police with a view to taking legal action against the Merseysider, who has a history of off-field troubles.

It has been virtually accepted within City circles that Barton must now leave Eastlands, even though he has been the club's best player for much of the campaign, a view McKay agrees with.

However, the controversial agent, who defended Barton in the aftermath of the attack, claiming it was the kind of incident that happens all the time on training grounds up and down the country, has questioned City's motives for banning the player from the final two games of the season.

"I wonder what the situation would have been had City been in Charlton's position, or Wigan's position," he added.

"There is no doubt Joey has been their best player and I couldn't see them doing this if they were in that position.

Under the terms of the lucrative contract he signed last summer, Barton is free to talk to any prospective buyer who offers City £5.5million, with Everton, who inquired about him in January, seemingly his preferred destination.

"Joey is an Evertonian," said McKay. "All his family support Everton. They are sitting fifth in the league and looking good. I have been contacted by three clubs abroad who are very interested and six or seven clubs over here but at the end of the day someone has got to come up with £5.5million."