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Free agent Joey Barton is set to undergo a medical with West Ham later today ahead of a switch to the Upton Park club, according to the BBC.

Barton has been a free agent since leaving QPR at the end of last season, but now looks set to stay in London with a move to Slaven Bilic's West Ham.











The Hammers had midfield enforcer Alex Song on loan from Barcelona last season, but have so far failed to keep the Cameroonian at the club on a permanent basis.

Now Barton could replace the Barcelona star as he is booked in for a medical with the Upton Park outfit later today.



West Ham are confident of signing Barton and expect a deal to be done within the next 48 hours.

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Signing Barton marks a big U-turn on the part of West Ham co-chairman David Gold.

Gold was asked in 2013 what he would say if then-West Ham manager Sam Allardyce told him he wanted him to sign Barton.

And the co-chairman replied: "Give Sam some time off, get away for a few days."

However, Barton now looks set to become a West Ham player this summer.

