Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes that joining West Ham would have been a good move for Joey Barton.

Redknapp bossed Barton at QPR and the R's released the tigerish midfielder earlier this summer following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.




Barton appeared poised to be joining West Ham, but a fan backlash against the signing of the controversial midfielder saw the Hammers pull out of the deal and the former Marseille man remains a free agent.

Redknapp can understand fans having an influence over signings, but believes it works in favour of foreign players and against some better known British stars.
 

 

The veteran manager wrote on Kicca: "I thought the deal to see Joey Barton move to West Ham was done and dusted. It would have been a great move for Joey, for sure.

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"But we’ve seen the fans have a say over what happens to managers and now we’re seeing it with players as well. But when clubs are signing what Alan Sugar called ‘Carlos Kickaball’ no one’s going to kick up a fuss because they don’t know who he is."

Redknapp believes Barton is still good enough to do a job for a Premier League side and would have given his all to the West Ham cause.

The former QPR boss also revealed he has been contacted by two Championship clubs asking about Barton, but Redknapp feels he should hold out for the Premier League.

"Joey’s a winner, when he plays he wants to win, he gives everything on the pitch. He gives strong opinions on the game and he’ll argue his corner if he thinks he’s right, if something’s not right he’ll say so.

"But as a player he gives everything, going to West Ham would have been a great move for him.

"He does need to play. I would hate to see him waste his time on the radio, he needs to be on the football pitch", Redknapp continued.

"I’ve had a couple of good Championship clubs ring me about him and he’d be an outstanding player for them. But you still think he’d do a job in the Premier League."