Liverpool & Aston Villa target Joey Barton set to sign new four-year contract with Newcastle

Joey Barton, Newcastle United (Getty Images)

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By Greg Stobart | Northern Correspondent

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton is set to end speculation over his future by signing a new four-year contract at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has attracted interest from Liverpool and Aston Villa but will sit down at the end of the season to finalise a new deal at St James’ Park.

Barton’s current deal expires at the end of next season but the Liverpudlian feels he owes Newcastle for the way the club stuck by him after he spent 77 days in prison in 2008.

Talks between Newcastle and Barton’s agent Willie McKay broke down in January over the proposed length of the new contract and because the player feared that money raised from the £35 million sale of Andy Carroll would not be re-invested in the squad.

But the former Manchester City man has been convinced that manager Alan Pardew will be allowed to significantly improve his squad in the summer as the club look almost certain to avoid relegation this season.

“Joey wants to stay at Newcastle, he has never considered leaving and he is extremely confident of signing a new contract at the end of the season,” a source close to Barton told Goal.com. “He has a great relationship with the fans, there is no truth in speculation that he wants to quit.”

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is the latest Premier League manager to mull over a controversial £5m move for Barton, who has been in superb form for Newcastle this season and could be voted the fans’ player of the year.

Barton feels the most settled he has been for many years and has steered clear of trouble off the pitch since he was released from prison in 2008.

He was brought to Tyneside from Manchester City by former Toon boss Sam Allardyce in a £5.7m move in summer 2007.