Joey Barton insists that he would like to remain with Olympique Marseille past the end of the current season.
The 30-year old midfielder is on a season-long loan from QPR and has indicated that the current fortunes of the West London club has prompted him to think about staying at the Stade Velodrome next term.
"The likelihood is, unless there is a massive turnaround in fortunes, QPR will be in the Championship next season," said the former Manchester City and Newcastle United man.
"What it seems to me as a neutral - and I am in France, no matter that I am contracted - is that they have got a big case of a lot of good quality individuals but not a good team.
"For me to be part of the side that stayed up and not be part of the side that went down, it would be difficult for me to go back.
"I haven't closed my mind to it, although I would really like to stay here. I'm in a good space mentally.
"I've held preliminary talks with Marseille about extending my stay here. They have asked me whether I would stay beyond the loan period."
Barton has made just two appearances for Marseille in the league but has started five times in the Europa League, scoring one goal in the 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.
