Queens Park Rangers today opened talks with controversial Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton over a free transfer to Loftus Road.
Standard Sport understands the club are in contact with the 27-year-old's agent, Willie McKay, and are prepared to offer him a lucrative contract.
Barton is on £52,000 a week but QPR's new owner Tony Fernandes, who today cut the club's ticket prices, is ready to offer a four-year deal worth £60,000 a week.
The player is out of contract next summer but is available on a free transfer after he criticised Newcastle on Twitter.
QPR's interest may be met with a mixed reception by the fans given that he served a 77-day prison sentence in 2008 after being convicted of assault. It is believed Barton is wary of moving to QPR as he has set his sights on joining a club at the top end of the table.
He is likely to wait until the final day of the transfer window a week today to see if he gets offers from other clubs and he could even end up staying at St James' Park.
Boss Neil Warnock is desperate to use Fernandes's money to sign up to five players.
The new owner has already reacted to fans' complaints by reducing ticket prices and announcing season-ticket holders will get a "significant refund". Children under eight will be able to watch games for free.
Former co-owner Flavio Briatore increased prices by up to 106 per cent following QPR's promotion.
