BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche reckons Rangers have shown their intentions for next season with their pursuit of Joey Barton – because the midfielder is ‘not cheap’.
The 33-year-old travelled north of the border on Saturday and was given a tour of Murray Park and Ibrox as boss Mark Warburton looks to complete his fourth signing ahead of Rangers’ return to the Premiership next term.
HeraldSport understands that the move will not be completed on Sunday as Barton continues to consider his options.
The former Manchester City, Newcastle United and QPR star was named in the Championship Team of the Year as Burnley won promotion back to the Premier League.
A deal is on the table to keep Barton at Turf Moor next season but the offer of a longer contract in Glasgow could persuade him to join the Gers.
The capture of Barton would be a considerable coup for Warburton ahead of the new campaign but Clarets chief Dyche, a friend of the Ibrox boss and Head of Recruitment Frank McParland, hasn’t given up hope of retaining the midfielder’s services for next season.
"We'll give him as long as he needs,” Dyche said on Goals on Sunday. “He took time to come to us last year, there were a couple of different things and he wanted to make sure it was the right place and environment.
“He's got some deep thoughts on what he thinks is correct. I've worked with him, not against him, one of the first things people said was 'how are you going to handle him?'
“I've said all along, he's a man, not a boy, his contract runs out this summer, he knows our position on it and he's got his chance to look around and do what he needs to do.
Read more: Tavernier backs Warburton to get summer signings right as Rangers close in on Barton
"I've absolutely no problem with Joey, he's been terrific for me, terrific around the place, but he's a man and he's got his own future in his hands and he'll make a decision on that.
"He knows where we stand on it, we do actually speak to these people.
"We've been open with our conversations with him, and his advisor, but he's still got his chance to look around and that's what players do nowadays. They're open minded to what's out there.
“Fair play to Rangers, it shows the clout they have, because if they're talking to him, he's not cheap. It shows their intentions if they see it as viable, they must be backed well.”
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