Barton wants City stay

14 April 2012

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton today revealed he never wants to leave the club.

Barton is now in the final year of his contract with City and could move for nothing next summer, but the midfielder is eager to remain at the City of Manchester Stadium.

A number of clubs are understood to be monitoring the situation with interest as the 21-year-old has started negotiations with regard to a new deal, but has yet to sign.

Barton, though, is adamant he is going nowhere and he will stay at City - unless the club, who are £60million in debt, look to cash in on one of their most influential young players.

"I have got until the end of the season left so you become a free agent in January, but I am not even thinking about that," said Barton.

"I've had talks with the club over the summer about a new contract. I haven't put pen to paper on anything yet, but hopefully in the coming months something will get done.

"I don't like to talk about money. I'm not a fan of that. I just want to get on with playing football.

"As long as Manchester City want me, I'd like to stay here. As long as I am playing, I'm fit and I'm getting selected there won't be a problem.

"I don't ever want to leave this club. I've always been made welcome here. The fans have been fantastic with me and this is where I got my big chance.

"It's nice to see in football now that people want to repay that faith. The only way I'd leave here is if Manchester City wanted to sell me."

Barton broke through the ranks at City and has become a key member of the squad.

Barton reckons it is time for others to follow suit as he told the club website: "I believe we should start bringing the young kids through as we have a lot of good young players here.

"It is always nice to see them come through the Academy system because you know how much they have earned it.

"Shaun Wright-Phillips and I have been through the system and we know how hard anyone has to work to get anywhere.