Barton will play in Championship if Marseille move fails, insists QPR owner Fernandes

The 30-year-old is currently enjoying a season-long loan at the Ligue 1 outfit, but the relegated club's chairman has insisted that no deal is in place to sell the midfielder

QPR owner Tony Fernandes has warned Joey Barton that he will be expected to help the club's promotion fight in the Championship next season if a move to loan outfit Marseille does not materialise.

The former Manchester City and Newcastle man made the loan move to Ligue 1 in August 2012 when Mark Hughes was in charge at Loftus Road, but current manager Harry Redknapp has suggested the midfielder could yet have a future with the Rs.


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Barton has aimed jibes at QPR throughout the season - most recently taking exception at some of the squad's perceived poor attitudes - but Fernandes has not ruled out the 30-year-old returning to the club next season.

"Marseille have got to put an offer in. Joey is under contract and Joey would be a very useful player for QPR," Fernandes told the club's official website.

"He helped Newcastle out [of the Championship]. Some would say we lacked his fighting spirit in the midfield. But if Joey and Marseille want [the transfer], then we will talk.

"However, he is a QPR player, and is contracted to QPR. That has to be a financial deal which would have to be worked out if he wants to go to Marseille, but as far as I am concerned he is a QPR player and in the summer will come back."