Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has revealed that he would love to join French club Marseille before the transfer window closes on Friday night.
The 29-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements at Loftus Road, thanks largely to the 12-match ban he is currently serving as a result of his actions on the final day of last season against Manchester City.
Barton's services have been linked with a host of clubs this summer, including Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Fleetwood Town.
However, the former Manchester City and Newcastle United player has insisted that his "heart is already in the Velodrome".
"Marseille won again as well. Allez les Marseillais. Maybe I'll see you all this week," he wrote on Twitter. "I am hopefully that things will be sorted out soon. Other clubs are in but I only want to play in Marseille. This is the place for me
"Hopefully, QPR and Marseille can finalise the deal in the next few days. My heart is already in the Velodrome."
Barton then went on take a swipe at QPR manager Mark Hughes, who stripped him of the captaincy and took away his squad number without any consultation.
"Maybe it's just time to move on. I enjoyed parts of last season and believe I am more than capable of playing this year. But the manager doesn't. Such is life," he added. "I have no problem with this as its my fault I am banned for 12(10 now) games. When a person a decision he has to stand by that. I respect Hughes for this. I don't agree but accept his decision.
"I am not the type of player to sit on the sidelines and take the cash. It's not me. I could do that for the next 3 years but it's not me. I want to play football.
"I am forced to train away from the 1st team. I am stripped of the captaincy. Then, made to train at 3pm Then, I am hawked around on loan. Then, I have my shirt number taken without any notice. Then, I read I wouldn't of been signed had the current regime been in place.
"I accepted all this. I never once spoke out of turn or angrily towards anybody. I am a man. I can only take so much. I want to leave.
"I hope to move on with my career, with my life. If that is in France, so be it. I don't want to be disrespectful to QPR but enough is enough."
Barton joined the R's from Newcastle last summer.
Liam Apicella
