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Matty Hewitt

Champions League lure for Nick Pope and why Didi Hamann is backing European finish

Former Newcastle United midfielder Didi Hamann believes the Magpies have enough in the squad to finish in the top eight in the Premier League. The former Toon midfielder, who spent one year on Tyneside, has been impressed by Newcastle's summer transfer business.

He told Genting Casino : "Nick Pope is a very good signing, but if I was Eddie Howe I wouldn't have looked at strengthening the goalkeeping department. Matt Targett is a good signing and there's probably two or three more coming.

"There's a lot of names floating around and we shouldn't forget that they finished in the top five or six in the second half of the season last year. I think Newcastle will finish in the top eight. Whether they can finish higher than that all depends on who else they bring in during the next few weeks."

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The long term ambition of Newcastle's owners is to challenge for the Premier League title and make the Magpies competitive in Europe. The vision for the club, combined with their new found wealth, is a huge factor in attracting new signings to St. James' Park.

Hamann said: "Newcastle have a lot of potential and with the funds they have available now, everyone expects them to be in the Champions League in the next three to five years. Nick Pope has probably signed expecting to play in the Champions League with Newcastle so I'm not surprised that he chose to sign for them."

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