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Football

24th Aug 2018

Joey Barton reportedly wants to sign Wes Hoolahan

Robert Redmond

This would be an interesting move for the Irish playmaker.

Wes Hoolahan has been linked with a move to Fleetwood Town, who are managed by Joey Barton. Hoolahan is a free agent after leaving Norwich City at the end of last season and is reportedly on the verge of being offered a short-term deal by the League One club.

According to HITC, Barton is a fan of Hoolahan and is hoping to add him to his squad for their promotion push.

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The former Burnley midfielder told The Fleetwood Weekly News that there is the potential to add more players to his squad, particularly if there is no transfer fee involved.

“We have good options. While we have not spent anything on transfer fees the chairman has supported us on wages,” Barton said.

Hoolahan, who turned 36 back in May, is actually older than Barton, who turns 36 next month and is in his first job in management. Fleetwood have had a solid start to life under him. They currently sit sixth in the table, with two wins, a draw and a loss from their opening four games of the season.

Fleetwood’s 5-0 victory over Scunthorpe last weekend was their biggest victory during their time in the Football League.

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Hoolahan was linked with a move to Rangers earlier this summer, with new manager Steven Gerrard understood to be interested in taking him north of the border. The Dubliner was said to be keen on playing abroad, in either the United States or Australia, but is still without a club.

He may be in the winter of his career, but Hoolahan would undoubtedly add quality to Fleetwood’s squad. The last time he played in League One, in the 2009/10 season, Hoolahan scored 11 goals in 37 games.

The former Blackpool midfielder left Norwich at the end of last season after 10 years with the club. He made 354 appearances and scored 53 goals during his time at Carrow Road.