It has already been revealed that Barton is not being offered a new contract at Newcastle, and the player had publicly admitted that it would be difficult for him to resist if an opportunity to play in the Champions League presented itself. He said-
However, Arsenal is one club that Barton has had a very iffy relationship with over the past few years. The training ground bust-up he had at Manchester City with Osumane Dabo angered most of Arsenal’s French contingent, with Clichy and Sagna publicly blasting Barton over his actions and Nasri famously tripping him in an off-the-ball incident in Newcastle’s game with Arsenal, in the 2008-09 season at the Emirates.
In further unpleasantness, Barton was the perpetrator of a dangerous tackle on Abou Diaby last season at St. James’ Park, which led to the lanky Frenchman losing his nerve and pushing Barton to the floor. This got him sent off and the match ended up in a historic 4-4 draw.

In case the Arsenal move does not come to pass, Kenny Dalglish will be ready to swoop in and buy the player for Liverpool, who are also interested. Stay tuned to find out if this is just smoke, or if there’s a flame crackling somewhere too.

Newcastle will be happy to move Barton on in the summer, no matter whether they stay in the Premier League or are relegated.
Porto defender Aly Cissokho has revealed Tottenham are among a number of clubs interested in signing him in the next few weeks.

And his finest moment of a spectacular season was in Porto's Champions League quarter-final clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford when he shackled Cristiano Ronaldo.
'I have a contract until 2012 and the club officials want me to add another year to that,' Cissokho said. 'That shows they have trust in me and I am proud of that.
'I also know there are big clubs looking at me, and Tottenham is one of them and that is fine. I will talk with my club and we will see what happens from there.'
Cissokho has also confirmed Atletico Madrid are in contention to sign him.

Spurs regard the former Leeds starlet as key to their plans to gatecrash the premier League's top four in the next couple of years.
United will turn their attentions to 23-year-old Ecuador star Antonio Valencia as Wigan could use the funds to strengthen their team and Sir Alex Ferguson is also reported to be preparing a world record £60m for Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery.
Liverpool may struggle to raise funds for Lennon if they also decide to pursue Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is lining up a summer bid to bring Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari back to the Premier League even if Jermaine Jenas does not head in the opposite direction.
But Mexican whizzkid Giovanni Dos Santos will not be allowed to move to Ipswich on a permanent basis despite his impressive loan spell at Portman Road.

Newly-promoted Birmingham are also interested in a number of players from north of the border with most of them currently earning their trade at Rangers.
They have been linked with deals for striker Kris Boyd, defender Madjid Bougherra and disgraced Scotland duo Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor.
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies will launch a £2.5m bid for on-loan QPR striker Dexter Blackstock and goalkeeper Lee Camp.
Davies will also ask to take Tottenham defender Chris Gunter again on a long-term loan.
And Derby boss Nigel Clough will look to offload a number of costly flops this summer, including goalkeeper Roy Carroll and striker Emanuel Villa.
Leeds, meanwhile, will fight it out with Leicester for the signature of Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis - if the Elland Road outfit win promotion to the Championship. Davis is out of contract in the summer.