Revealed: Rangers offer Barton more long-term package than Burnley in bid to entice him to Ibrox
By Alex Stevens
Rangers are trying to trump Burnley by offering Joey Barton a more lucrative package to make a shock move to Ibrox, Football Insider sources understand.
Barton could be on the verge of a sensational transfer to the Scottish giants after travelling to Glasgow for talks on Saturday.
A well placed source has told Football Insider that Rangers have offered Barton a three-year contract in a bid to entice him to the Scottish Premiership next season.
The midfielder has been in talks over a new deal with newly-promoted Burnley after helping them return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
But Barton is out of contract in the summer, and without a firm agreement in place with Burnley, his future remains up in the air.
The source said the Championship winners are likely to offer the 33-year-old former England international a one-year deal as well as another crack at the Premier League.
The former Manchester City, Newcastle, QPR and Marseille star will have to weigh that up against the more long-term contract on offer from Rangers.
Barton has been a revelation for Burnley this season as they secured promotion to the Premier League. He made 40 appearances and was named the club’s player of the year in what was a persona and collective triumph.
Speculation that Barton could be heading for a career swansong with Rangers initially met with scepticism last week in Glasgow, where supporters appreciate that more wealthy clubs down south can offer Barton a more lucrative package.
In other Rangers news, one of the team’s emerging stars could be playing in the Premier League next season.