n September 2004 Barton signed a new contract that kept him at Manchester City until 2007. However, on 30 January 2006, Barton handed in a written transfer request. The next day, Manchester City rejected a verbal offer for Barton from Middlesbrough (reported figures ranging from £3 million and £4.5 million), with Stuart Pearce asserting that a deal could still be done to keep him at the club. During the following week, Barton admitted that making such a request was hasty and wrong and apologised to the club. Though there were rumours that Barton would join Middlesbrough in the summer of 2006 due to the breakdown of contract talks, on 25 July he signed a new four-year deal ending speculation about his future.

On 16 January 2007, football agent Willie McKay stated that if any team offered at least £5.5 million for Barton, then Manchester City must allow Barton to talk to that club, and Everton manager David Moyes then asked City about Barton's availability. However, the next day Barton stated "People are trying to unsettle me but I'm happy to stay here", and Pearce added "I'm not sure if Willie McKay is his agent".

Barton was in Newcastle in early June 2007 holding negotiations with manager Sam Allardyce with a view to joining Newcastle United and underwent a medical on 5 June 2007. Barton joined Newcastle United on the 14 June 2007 in a deal worth £5.8 million."

On 2 February 2007, following his recent impressive form, Barton received his first call-up to the full England squad for the friendly match against Spain, despite his recent criticism of some of the England squad turning out autobiographies after an unimpressive 2006 World Cup, summarizing it as "I played like shit. Here's my book"

He made his international debut on 7 February 2007 replacing Frank Lampard in the 78th minute of the 1-0 defeat to Spain at Old Trafford.