Joey Barton today claimed Queens Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes blocked his permanent move to Marseille this summer.
The 31-year-old spent last season on loan in France and claims an agreement was in place for him to go back there on a free transfer only for Fernandes to demand a fee.
He has been in impressive form for Rangers in the Championship but said: “When I came back this summer, the situation was very difficult. The club had been relegated and had to sell players.
“So I was confident. I said to myself, ‘Work in training, be quiet’, and in the end I will leave for Marseille and all will be well. We had an agreement with them and I also spoke with [manager] Harry Redknapp. He told me that he understood why I wanted to leave and did not prevent me.
“But then, the QPR chairman refused to let me go on a free. He asked Marseille to pay a transfer fee and it was not possible.”
Had he returned to France, he would have been in the same Champions League group as Arsenal. “I also would have liked to be playing [in Europe],” he said. “I hope one day I can play a Champions League match at the Velodrome.
“If I have to stay [at QPR], I at least want to have fun on the field.”
