Skipper Kevin Nolan is understood to have rejected the contract offer currently on the table just weeks after Barton was told he will not be offered a new deal.
Former Bolton player Nolan, who scored 12 Barclays Premier League goals last season, has two years remaining on his current contract, but the breakdown of talks will cause further concern amongst fans still coming to terms with Barton's situation.
Barton's agent Willie McKay says that unless something changes radically in the next 12 months, Barton will leave St James' Park on a free transfer next summer.
With repeated speculation that Liverpool are ready to tempt Spanish full-back Enrique to Anfield, the first few weeks of Pardew's summer have been a disaster.
He said: "We need big names to show the fans we mean business", but he doesn't seem able to keep the top players he already has!
Lorient's Kevin Gameiro, Lille's Gervinho, Reading's Shane Long and former Magpie Charles N'Zogbia, currently at Wigan, are said to be targets.
But three of the four players have said they have bigger clubs after them.
A 'THANK YOU' TO FOOTYMAD READERS ...
'MAGPIES IN EUROPE'
FOR £5.99 (inc post)
2010/11 has been NewcastleUtd-Mad's greatest season for page 'hits', and as a thank you to all readers we are giving you the chance (FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY) to purchase "MAGPIES IN EUROPE" for £5.99 (and that includes the postage).
*Normal price is £9.99
OFFER ENDS JUNE 10th 2011
Although "Magpies In Europe" will not be launched OFFICIALLY until next season ... if you want a copy it is available NOW from this website ... and ONLY from this website!
FOREWORD BY FAIRS CUP HERO JOHN McNAMEE
Sports Journalist Richie Everson: "At last a book that the fabulous Newcastle United fans can relate to. It's informative, all the facts and figures are there, plus the 120 match reports from all the fixtures ... but it is the articles by the supporters that amazed me.
"I went to many of those games, and this is the only book I can honestly say 'hits the nail on the head'!
"Yes we know the results and the scorers, but some of the facts in this book had me so wrapped up in it I couldn't put it down.
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MAGPIES IN EUROPE
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