Transfer Rumors: Barton Joins QPR

So, the Joey Barton era is over at Newcastle. It doesn’t come as a surprise, but is it a real shame or the best thing for both parties? I’ll settle for somewhere in the middle, as he was arguably Newcastle’s most influential player, but the relationship between player and club had perhaps reached the point of no return.

Besides Barton’s departure, Friday was a quiet day overall, but is it the calm before the storm? We shall see what the next several days hold, but for now, here’s a recap of today’s top transfer headlines.

QPR Sign Barton

After their recent takeover by Tony Fernandes, you had to bank on QPR spending some money before the transfer deadline. But in the end, their best new addition will likely be one who didn’t cost a penny in transfer fees. After taking the time to consider his future, Barton has signed on the dotted line for the newly-promoted side, penning a four-year deal.

QPR need to make another couple of Premier League-quality signings before the deadline, but this is a big step towards having the kind of squad that can consolidate a place in the top flight. Commitment and tenacity are two of Barton’s best-known qualities, and those are a big boost in themselves, but he also isn’t short on quality.

Tottenham In Parker Talks

Though the new season started with Scott Parker taking the pitch for West Ham, it was highly unlikely that Parker would spend the duration of the season in the Championship, and it looks a swift return to the Premier League is indeed on the cards for the England midfielder.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce didn’t have much in the way of details, but he has confirmed that the club are in talks with Tottenham over a deal for Parker. Spurs have previously attempted to sign Parker but were unsuccessful due to the old West Ham regime’s unwillingness to do any transfer business with them, but Harry Redknapp could be set to finally get his man.

It would be the best move for Parker, as playing for one of the Premier League’s top sides and getting to play in Europe will only help his chances of factoring into the remainder of England’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and making the squad for next summer’s tournament (provided England qualify, of course). It would be just as good of a move for Spurs, as Parker would bring experience and quality to the side, and you can bet he’ll be hungry as well, given the opportunity that such a move would present.

And no, it doesn’t mean anything in regards to Luka Modric. Trust me on that one.

Arsenal Turned Back In Cahill Pursuit

So, with no shortage of money for new additions, you’d think that Arsenal wouldn’t hold back when it comes to making offers for their targets. So then, you’d expect them to make a strong offer for Bolton defender Gary Cahill, right?

A quick look at the Premier League’s summer transfers shows the high fees that the league’s elite have paid for English talents this summer, and from those figures, it’s reasonable to say that the £6-7m bid that they’ve reportedly made might be at least half of what they’ll actually have to spend to land him this summer, despite the fact that Cahill is in the final year of his contract with Bolton.

Whatever the bid was, it was rejected by Bolton, with both Bolton manager Owen Coyle publicly slating the offer and chairman Phil Gartside retweeting (and thereby seemingly agreeing with) and then deleting a supporter’s colorful opinion about Arsenal’s bid. That’s much to the annoyance of one Arsene Wenger, who’s stated that the offer was for more than £6m.

All I’ll say is this – if Arsenal got £25m out of Manchester City for Samir Nasri, who was in the final year of his contract, then they should be realistic when it comes to what they should pay for Cahill, who’s young, talented, and last but not least, English. Just saying.