Barton wants to leave QPR for Marseille

Barton, 29, is serving a 12-match ban after being sent off for violent conduct in the final game of last season against Manchester City when he kneed Sergio Aguero and went to headbutt Vincent Kompany.

The midfielder, who has 1.68 million followers, expressed his feelings in 15 tweets saying: "My heart is already in the Velodrome", Marseille's home ground.

He said: "I enjoyed parts of last season and believe I am more than capable of playing this year. But the manager doesn't. Such is life.

"When you get treated the way I have been: ie, the captaincy, shirt number, banishment from first team squad, etc, I wouldn't have thought I'd be rushing back," added Barton.

"Other clubs are in for me but I only want to play in Marseille. This is the place for me. Hopefully QPR and Marseille can finalise the deal in the next few days. My heart is already in the Velodrome.

"To the QPR fans, for some reason the manager dislikes me. Not gonna cry about it. Maybe it's just time to move on."

Barton said: "I could have appealed as is my right. I choose not to out of respect. But when I returned to the club I am forced to train away from the first team.

"I never once spoke out of turn or angrily towards anybody. I am a man. I can only take so much. I want to leave. I've said enough for today. I'll get in trouble no doubt."