Newcastle United
Outcast Joey Barton claims to have been fined two weeks' wages by the club as he draws closer to making his exit from St James' Park. Barton was on Monday told he can leave on a free transfer, amid his ongoing criticisms of the Magpies hierarchy on Twitter and the breakdown in talks over a new deal. Returning to the social networking site today, Barton announced the club have also now hit him in the pocket. Barton wrote: "Ha ha the inevitable, 2 weeks wages fine has just arrived. Needless to say it shall be appealed forthwith.#kickingamanwhilsthesdownha".
Queens Park Rangers
Manager Neil Warnock is confident that Southampton winger Jason Puncheon will join the club. "We need a wide player, obviously [former player] Wayne Routledge looks like joining Swansea, and we've been looking at Jason Puncheon," Warnock told London24. "He's someone who has done really well, he's exactly the sort of player I like, he's pacy and direct, someone with something to prove, a player with a bit of hunger. We need players like that at QPR this season." Lee Cook and Martin Rowlands look set to leave QPR after the pair were not handed squad numbers.
West Bromwich Albion
Zoltan Gera has signed for his former club, West Brom, after his contract with Fulham expired earlier this summer. Gera, who spent four years at The Hawthorns before leaving for Craven Cottage in 2008, has passed a medical and put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the club holding an option for a further 12 months. Roy Hodgson, the West Brom head coach, was delighted to be reunited with the playmaker he also signed for Fulham three years ago. "Having decided not to renew his contract at Fulham, Zoltan has come back to the club where he started his career in England," Hodgson said on the club's website.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, believes 19-year-old new signing Phil Jones has the talent to break into the first team immediately. Ferguson told club magazine Inside United: "We first identified Jones when he played for Blackburn's youth team against us a couple of years ago when they beat us 3-0. He was absolutely magnificent. You might think he might not play, but the ability he's got and the determination he's got, he could quite easily play. He's the future obviously, but he could certainly come in right away."
Fulham
Fulham defender Chris Baird has targeted qualification for the Europa League group stage but expects a tough match in tomorrow's third qualifying round second leg against RNK Split. The Cottagers endured a frustrating night in last week's first leg as they struggled to a goalless draw in Croatia. "It's been great to be in the Europa League again. The last game against RNK was a hard one but hopefully we're going to get the win we need back at the Cottage. We'll be hoping to get into the group stages again."
Arsenal
Joel Campbell says Arsenal have reopened talks with regards to a move to Emirates Stadium. The Costa Rican teenage striker, who plays for Deportivo Saprissa, was on the verge of a move to Arsenal last month but the deal fell through. Real Madrid had expressed an interest, but Arsenal appear to be prepared to revive the deal, reported to be worth around £1 million (Dh5.9m).