The midfielder had taken to social media to make claims of a permanent switch to southern France which have since been denied by club executives
QPR midfielder Joey Barton, currently on loan at Olympique de Marseille, has been shot down by officials from both his parent club and current employers after claiming to have a deal in place for a permanent move to France.
The 30-year-old had taken to Twitter to declare an end to his association with the relegation-threatened Hoops, expressing joy at seemingly having avoided a spell in the second division of English football.
“Some strange people think that I’ll be playing in the Championship next season?? Good one! QPR might, I won’t!” Barton had tweeted.
“It’s not up to QPR if I stay. Agreement already in place for me to stay here [Marseille]. Can’t see QPR wanting me on the wage bill in the Champ.”
However, the former Manchester City and Newcastle player’s claims were quickly refuted by QPR owner Tony Fernandes, who intimated that Barton was still under contract at Loftus Road.
“For the record QPR players under contract cannot decide where they play. They are under CONTRACT,” said Fernandes via Twitter.
Marseille president Vincent Laubrune chose a different outlet to refute Barton’s contention, telling a French television show that no agreement was in place to keep Barton at the Ligue 1 outfit.
“We would not be against the idea of keeping Joey Barton at OM but he belongs to QPR,” he told 20 Minutes. “But there is no agreement as suggested by Joey Barton.”