Alan Pardew has claimed that Newcastle United's focus this season has to be pushing for Champions League qualification.
The Magpies have strengthened their squad by signing Daryl Janmaat, Siem de Jong, Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Riviere this summer, and Pardew believes that failing to come close to securing a spot in the top four will encourage rival clubs to target their key men.
"If you don't make the Champions League, then the big teams come for your players - look at Southampton," the Newcastle boss told reporters. "We are pushing every year to try and build to hopefully get to a stage where we make it without losing our players.
"We have pitched in and signed players that we think give us a chance to push for Champions League.
"We have options, more options to come in and it is going to strengthen my hand to tactically change the team."
Newcastle will begin their season by hosting Manchester City on August 17.
Callum Mulvihill
