The club have delayed any decision on the midfielder following his bust-up with team-mate Ousmane Dabo until the proposed £150million takeover by Thai billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra is completed and Claudio Ranieri installed as boss.

Barton, suspended by the club for the final two weeks of the season,  would have been sold if a club had matched the £5.5m ‘escape’ clause in his contract.

Everton, Newcastle and Middlesbrough are all showing interest. But City are also aware that any decision on Barton could prejudice any criminal proceedings.