Today, Alan Pardew admits teams have to be pushing for the Champions League if they are to retain their best players.
Alan Pardew: "If you don't make the Champions League, then the big teams come for your players - look at Southampton.
"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 already shown we are much better covered offensively than we were after Yohan Cabaye's departure.
"We have options, more options to come in and it is going to strengthen my hand to tactically change the team."