Allardyce 'flabbergasted' by City

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has hit out at Manchester City over the cash wrangle which is delaying his capture of midfielder Joey Barton.

The 24-year-old agreed his £5.5million move to St James' Park last week, but a row over a £300,000 pay-off to which he was contractually entitled if he was sold without asking for a transfer has prevented the deal going through.

Allardyce told the Manchester Evening News: "They are out of order. This is a private matter, a confidential issue that should not have been made public. I'm flabbergasted and want the situation resolved."

Barton's agent Willie McKay has referred the matter to the Professional Footballers' Association with City adamant that they will not pay because he was not forced out of the club.

Allardyce is being forced to play a waiting game, but has urged the Eastlands hierarchy to resolve the issue.

He said: "I am just trying as Newcastle manager to secure a player of this kind and quality and the deal has been held up.

"I cannot understand it because City didn't pay anything for this player as he came through the youth system and are selling him for over £5million.

"It's not really for me to comment. All I know is that this is a matter for Joey to sort out and I hope it is resolved as it has stopped him putting pen to paper."