Everton boss David Moyes has been rebuffed in his bid for Joey Barton as he looks to bolster the Toffees' bid for Europe.
Moyes was told by his counterpart at Manchester City Stuart Pearce that the midfielder was not for sale although Barton's agent insists the 24-year-old should be allowed to speak to the Merseyside club.
Moyes told the official Everton website: 'I can confirm that we have made an enquiry for Joey Barton.
'However, Manchester City made it clear he was not for sale and we respect the wishes of the club and Stuart Pearce.'
However, agent Willie McKay insists Barton has a clause in his contract which allows him to speak to any club that makes a bid of £5.5million and it is believed Everton offered such a figure.
'If a club makes a bid of £5.5million, he can speak to anyone if he so wishes,' McKay said.
'There is a clause in his contract that he can leave for that sum.
'Joey should be made aware of the offer and asked if he wants to speak to them.'
Everton were busy on the transfer front today with David Weir joining Rangers until the end of the season.
The 36-year-old became Walter Smith's first signing since he returned to Ibrox for the second time as manager last week.
Meanwhile, David Dunn is poised to make a £2.2million move from Coca-Cola Championship leaders Birmingham to Premiership Bolton.
Dunn moved from Blackburn to St Andrews in a £5.5million transfer in the summer of 2003 but the 27-year-old endured a serious back problem which affected his hamstrings meaning he was ruled out for the best part of two years.
