Joey Barton wants to play for "boyhood club" Everton and will take a huge pay-cut to make the move happen this summer, according to the
Mirror. The outspoken midfielder grew up in Merseyside supporting the Toffee's and has now contacted their manager Roberto Martinez about a potential deal. Barton is back at QPR following a year in exile at French club Marseille, following his red card madness on the final day of the 2011/12 Premier League season. Harry Redknapp is even considering playing him in Saturday's Championship season opener against Sheffield Wednesday. But the controversial star's agent has made contact with Goodison Park manager Martinez enquiring about a potential move. Barton had been hoping for a huge payoff at QPR to make his move back to Marseille financially viable but those hopes are wavering, leaving the former Manchester City star considering a move to Everton instead. And the 30-year-old has now told the Toffee's that he would accept half of his £70,000-a-week wages to make a move happen. Barton is even willing to join Everton for training to prove his match fitness and Martinez is believed to be giving the proposal serious consideration. Everton have been linked with the player before with David Moyes interested in signing the star during his reign but a move never came to fruition because the midfielder was never affordable. But now that Barton is prepared to go out on a limb to make a deal go through, a transfer could now be more realistic. Barton's last appearance in the Premier League was one marred in controversy. The Scouser clashed with City players Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany and aimed headbutts and kicks at his opponents as he was hauled off the pitch after receiving a red card. He was later handed a
12 match ban, which he was told must be served in France following his season-long loan switch to Marseille.