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Barton link for Blues
Birmingham City, 15:20, July 5, 2009 ,
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish reportedly wants to take a gamble on signing bad boy Joey Barton but only on a season-long loan.
Controversial Newcastle midfielder Barton is still under contract at Championship outfit Newcastle but they would jump at the chance to offload him after two seasons.
McLeish wants to add to his midfield options and is also tracking former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson who, like Barton, also hit the headlines for the wrong reasons last season.
However, a loan would suit both Blues and the Magpies and also represents a no-lose deal for McLeish as he could ship him out at the first sign of trouble.
The St Andrews chief is confident of landing Lee Bowyer from West Ham this summer which increases the prospect of a bad-boy midfield next term.
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