Midfielder Barton, 24, claimed City should pay him £300,000 as part of a £5.5million transfer to St James’ Park as he never asked for the transfer.

But furious City refused, preferring instead to see the move collapse.They maintained Barton had readily agreed to talk to Newcastle and West Ham after both clubs matched the £5.5m get-out clause in his contract.

But with the deal in jeopardy, Toon agreed to pay City £5.8m so they could pay the extra £300,000 to Barton.