Joey Barton wary of Champions League incentive for Loic Remy

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton believes that only a club with Champions League football to offer can prise Loic Remy away from Loftus Road.

The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a switch away from QPR this summer and saw an £8m move to Liverpool collapse after failing a medical last month.

Rumours of a possible stay in West London increased when Remy started Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Hull City, and Barton says that he is "keen to stay" - providing a Champions League club do not come calling.

"For me, he is keen to stay," the 31-year-old is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"If a Champions League club comes in for him, could anybody blame the lad for going? I don't think I would and I don't think any of the fans would.

"But that is the big if: If a Champions League club came in for him. There aren't many of them."

The 27-year-old's contract expires in 2017.