Joey Barton on display for Burnley

Revealed: Rangers offer Barton more long-term package than Burnley in bid to entice him to Ibrox

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

14 May 2016, 1:32 pm

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.

Rangers

Joey Barton