Barton doubts Marseille move

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton doubts a move to Marseille is now going to happen before the close of the transfer window.

QPR midfielder back training with the youngsters

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton doubts a move to Marseille is now going to happen before the close of the transfer window. Barton is currently serving a 12-game suspension as a result of his sending-off against former club Manchester City on the final day of last season and has no long-term future at Loftus Road. He has been stripped of the captaincy, not been given a squad number and recently trained with Football League new boys Fleetwood Town. A move to French giants Marseille had been mooted and Barton had initially been keen on exploring the option of a switch to Stade Velodrome. However, the 29-year-old is now back training with QPR's youngsters after expressing his disappointment that a deal with Marseille looks unlikely. Barton wrote on Twitter: "Doesn't look like this Marseille thing is gonna happen now. 'Whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger' #heartbroken" Sky Sports revealed on Monday that QPR are ready to offer Barton, who has three years left on his contract, a free transfer in order to facilitate a move. It now remains to be seen whether a deal will materialise for Barton, who scored three goals in 31 Premier League appearances last season after joining QPR from Newcastle United.