West Ham are on the verge of signing free agent midfielder Joey Barton on a two-year deal this summer.
The former England international is said to be in talks with the club, according to the Express, and could have a medical later this week if he impresses in training with the club.
Having been released by QPR following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season, Barton has been without a club ever since, but maintained that he was close to penning a deal with a new employer.
“I’m close to agreeing something with somebody, hopefully that can be sorted out in the next week. ” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live last weekend, quoted by the Daily Star.
The move comes as somewhat as a surprise for the Hammers after what Co-Chairman David Gold has said about the former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder.
Gold once described the 32-year-old as “vile” and stated that “In my opinion [Joey] Barton has a problem and should seek help,”.
He followed that up with stating that he would allow then-manager Sam Allardyce “time off” if he asked to sign Barton.
These reports come after news from Spain that Barcelona midfielder Alex Song is not a target for West Ham, despite being linked all summer with a return to Upton Park following the end of his season-long loan spell.
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