Joey Barton claimed yesterday that his proposed switch from Queens Park Rangers to Olympique Marseille had fallen through.

The midfielder, who turns 30 next month, is currently without a squad number at Loftus Road having been hit with a 12-match ban by the FA following his sending off at Manchester City on the final day of last season.

On Sunday, Barton indicated via his Twitter account that he was set to join Marseille, who lead the French league after three games this season, with his ban only applicable in England.

However, he returned to Twitter yesterday to say that any potential switch to the Stade Velodrome now appeared out of the question.

“Doesn’t look like this Marseille thing is gonna happen now. Whatever... doesn’t kill you... make you stronger’ #heartbroken,” he wrote.

“Why can’t things just be simple.”