BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche has confirmed he is in talks with free agent Joey Barton.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle United and QPR midfielder is the odds-on favourite with most bookmakers over a move to Turf Moor. Some have even suspended the betting.

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But Dyche said the situation with the 32-year-old was not that cut and dried.

“It’s a possibility, that’s what I’d say,” said the Clarets boss.

“There’s a lot of other suitors, it’s not as simple as that.

“Joey’s someone I’ve spoken to for eight weeks. He’s someone who I know a little bit about.

“He knows about us, he’s always been very respectful of what we’ve tried to do here and what we’ve done here.

“The thing about Joey is what people sometimes forget because of other stuff is he’s a very good player and he has a lot of people who probably hold him in high regard as a very good player.

“We’re not flippant enough with any situation to think that everyone just wants to come to Burnley because we ask them to.”

Dyche added: “This is something that’s been going on for a while.

“No other reason than his thinking, our thinking, a bit of both.

"All parties have to be happy in the situation, that’s for sure."

Although the transfer window closes on Tuesday at 6pm, there is no deadline for Barton because he is not tied to a club.

“In theory it could go on,” said Dyche. "It is a watch this space situation.”