Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton insists he was "not being greedy" by rejecting the club's double-your-money £28,000-a-week offer and asking for a transfer.

The 23-year-old claims there is no chance of him staying at Eastlands unless he becomes one of the Blues' top earners.

He said: "I'm slightly disappointed at what has gone on. It could have been handled a lot better but we've got to get on with it.

"Obviously it was made out I was very, very greedy and asking for an extortionate amount of money.

"I asked to be put in line with the top earners and I wasn't offered that. I value myself higher than the club does.

"I did think I'd get it [parity with the top earners] but City have come back with a different value. I was told to take it or leave it.

"It may have been a bit impetuous of me to hand in a transfer request but I felt the offer was not good enough."

Barton has been City's best player this season and believes he should be the highest-paid member of Stuart Pearce's squad, a mantle that was previously Robbie Fowler's on £35,000 a week.

City immediately rejected Barton's transfer request, with Pearce understood to feel badly let down. The club believes Barton has been badly advised by his new agent Willie McKay.

His previous adviser, Struan Marshall, had recommended that Barton stay at City, citing Pearce's influence and the support that the club have shown during his turbulent career.

"It's in City's hands, they know my situation. I made it very clear where I stand and I told City I hope the matter can be resolved," Barton told Sky Sports News.

"I'd been told by the chief executive this was the final offer so I had no option. It's in their hands, I'm willing to listen to what they say. I had a good chat with the manager and in his heart of hearts I think
he could see where I was coming from.

"Anyone who knows me knows I am committed and there is no reason for that to change. Stuart Pearce knows it's not a professional matter between me and him - it's the politics at the club."

PA