Joey Barton has been frustrated in an attempt to return to Marseille next season due to his wage demands, claim the French club.

Barton’s agent is said to have asked Marseille if they would like the 32-year-old once-capped England midfielder to join them next season when he will be a free agent. However, Marseille said they could not afford him.

“The agent call me last week to offer me Joey for next year but I don’t think so,” Marseille president Vincent Labrune told The Independent. He added: “It’s difficult to pay the salaries English players want. To speak about Joey Barton, because it was me who brought him here [in 2012], he was in some difficulty with QPR, and we found a financial agreement to bring him here that was very good for us because QPR paid a portion of his salary. But generally it is hard for a club like ours to buy an English player. We pay more [income] tax in France too which makes it difficult.”

Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Joe Hart Given little to do by his opponents which could explain a few nervous touches. 6 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Pablo Zabaleta Bombed up and down the right flank effectively. 7 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Martin Demichelis Marshalled his defence suitably well. 7 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Eliaquim Mangala Got to grips well with Zamora and Austin. 7 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Aleksandar Kolarov Showcased his talent for free-kicks once more. 8 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Fernando Completely dominated Henry, Barton and Fer in midfield. 8 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Fernandinho Kept play ticking over with short and long range passing. 7 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings James Milner A typical Milner performance that included incisive passing and non-stop running. 8 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Frank Lampard Demonstrated neat touches in midfield even if age is catching him up. 7 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings David Silva Showed wonderful willingness to attack at all times and scored a superb sixth. 9 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Sergio Aguero A constant threat from first minute to last, and deserved his hat-trick. 10 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Rob Green The goalkeeper, so often unprotected, could only do so much. Made some smart saves. 7 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Steven Caulker A lack of confidence was evident as he endured a torrid 90 minutes. 3 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Richard Dunne Meant well, but his lack of pace was cruelly exposed. 4 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Clint Hill The experienced defender struggled as part of QPR's back three. 4 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Matt Phillips Responsible for weak defending at right wing-back, especially in the build-up to Aguero's opener. 3 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Joey Barton Given the bird on his return to the Etihad, even his never-say-die attitude eventually deserted him. 4 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Yun Suk-young Supplied some good crosses from the wing, but culpable of some careless defending. 4 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Karl Henry Completely anonymous. He was unable to repeat the successful performance of his beloved Conservatives. 2 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Leroy Fer Head dropped after Rangers fell behind, he failed to demonstrate the ability he possesses. 3 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Charlie Austin A first-half goal threat, he had trouble timing his runs. 5 GETTY IMAGES Manchester City 6 QPR 0 player ratings Bobby Zamora Battled hard with City's defenders before his knees gave up. 4 GETTY IMAGES

Barton spent a successful season across the Channel in 2012-13 having been loaned out by QPR in part because he had been given a 12-match domestic suspension by the FA following his dismissal at Manchester City in the final game of the previous season. Barton was able to play European games for Marseille while waiting for his suspension to finish.

He returned to England with apparent reluctance. QPR, in his absence, had been relegated and Barton said he would not play in the Championship. In the event he helped them to promotion and has been one of their better players in this miserable season.

Labrune, who The Independent revealed is seeking to negotiate a loan scheme with Chelsea for their academy graduates, said: “We love Joey here, he left us with fantastic memories, but no, the only market we are interested in from England is the very young player.”

Given his age Barton, who was on £65,000-a-week at QPR, will be trying to seek the highest possible wage for what may be the last contract of his career. That evidently rules out Marseille, but the president did give him a glowing reference.

“His reputation didn't stop us from taking him,” said Labrune. “This is a club where we give people warm welcomes. His strong personality worked well here. OM is a club where there is a lot more pressure. From the media and the fans - more than other French clubs - therefore we have to sign solid personalities, robust players who are ready for combat and we were happy Joey was like that. We had a super season, we finished second. The way he carried himself on the field and off it here was absolutely remarkable.”