Barton and Bothroyd for Toffees

Published May. 29, 2011 1:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

Everton are reportedly ready to spend £4million on Newcastle's Joey Barton and also look set to land Jay Bothroyd on a free transfer.

The People reports that Newcastle will accept a bid from the Toffees for Barton, rather than allow the 28-year-old former England midfielder to see out the remaining 12 months on his Toon contract.

Talks between player and club broke down this week, and a return to Merseyside - Barton is an Everton fan who was rejected by the club's youth set-up as a boy - now appears likely.

As for the Magpies, they could replace Barton with Lille's France international Yohan Cabaye, who would cost around £5million, Bayer Leverkusen's Swiss star Tranquillo Barnetta or even Wolves skipper Karl Henry.

Meanwhile, Bothroyd is available on a free transfer after his contract expired at Cardiff and the 28-year-old striker is already understood to have held talks with Goodison officials.