NEWCASTLE UNITED have still not received a single phone call from any of the clubs credited with an interest in Joey Barton after it emerged Arsenal are considering a move for the player.

The Magpies, who made their third signing of the summer on Saturday morning with a surprise swoop for French forward Sylvain Marveaux, are willing to listen to offers for Barton but none have arrived so far.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking to strengthen his squad and is aware the Newcastle midfielder is available at a knockdown price.

With just 12 months remaining on his contract and a halt to discussions over extending his stay after a dispute with the club's board, Barton could be sold for less than the £4m asking price this summer.

The player insists he is in no rush to leave, but would be tempted by the prospect of playing in the Champions League.

Newcastle are sceptical about the Arsenal link, having not received any direct contact with any of the clubs said to be showing an interest in the controversial former Manchester City man.

"I want to play in the Champions League," Barton said. "I have not had that chance yet. I want to test myself.

"I had a decent season and I want to make up for the lost time through my own stupidity or injury. I am hungry to succeed and it would be great if it was at Newcastle."

The players signed by manager Alan Pardew so far, with Marveaux following Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye to Tyneside, have impressed Barton.

The latest deal arrived as a complete surprise. Marveaux had been set to seal a Bosman move to Liverpool on Friday but that broke down at the last minute.

Newcastle quickly moved in to try to steal the player and, after arriving in Newcastle at 2am on Saturday morning, a five-year contract was signed and delivered hours later.

It has been alleged that Marveaux's proposed switch to Anfield broke down because he failed a medical.

However, the 25-year-old - who has not played since November with a thigh problem - has strongly refuted such claims.

"I did not sign for Liverpool because there was a contractual disagreement between the parties," said Marveaux.

"I am in good health and fit to play. I resumed training with Rennes at the end of last season and I could have played the last game if the club had wanted me to.

"It disgusts me to read a few things like that because I know it could affect the rest of my career. Today I could undergo a medical before you and you will see that there is no problem."

Marveaux is a left winger who can also play up front. The last few years have seen him struggle with injury, but when fit he was regarded as one of the finest play-makers in Ligue 1 with Rennes.

Manchester United and Chelsea had expressed interest before his injury problems, while West Ham had a £3m offer rejected by Rennes 12 months ago.

The former France Under-21 international joined Rennes as a 15-year-old, making his first team debut in 2006. Since then he has made over 100 appearances for Les Rouges, scoring 16 goals from attacking or left midfield roles.

Newcastle also expect to sign full-back Neil Taylor from Swansea this week and Barton hopes the new players are as good as what is required to take Newcastle forward.

"I have heard about the players coming in and who might be and it would be great to bring quality players in to add to what we already have got," said Barton.

"I am employed to play football and there are other people at the club employed to make decisions on transfers. I hope for everyone's sake that they find a few more Cheik Tiotes."

One player that looks destined not to be heading to Tyneside is former Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia.

Pardew is reluctant to pay the £12m asking price which Wigan are quoting clubs and has been put off by the French winger's £60,000-a-week wage demands.