Midfielder Joey Barton has backed Newcastle to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window.
And Magpies midfielder dreams of Champions League football
Joey Barton has backed Newcastle to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window and dreams of playing in the UEFA Champions League one day.
Magpies fans still smarting from the £35million sale of striker Andy Carroll in January were stung further this week when captain Kevin Nolan elected to drop down into the Championship with West Ham.
Barton only has one year remaining on his current deal and has admitted he expects to leave St James' Park after the coming season with contract talks with the Magpies hierarchy having broken down.
But the combative midfielder is happy with the players being linked with the Tyneside outfit, who have already snapped up Demba Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and Yohan Cabaye.
Barton told
Sky Sports News: "I've heard a few rumours about players getting signed and they seem to be good quality players, so if they can add to what we've already got at the football club, then so be it.
"I'm employed to play football, not to make decisions about the transfer market. Let's just hope for everyone's sake they can find a few more Cheik Tiotes."
Stupidity
Barton has endured a troubled career on and off the field, which included a stint behind bars, but believes he is now playing some of his best football and has ambitions to test himself against the very best.
"I want to play at the highest level," he admitted.
"I've not been fortunate enough to play in the Champions League yet, I've played in the Uefa Cup a couple of times, but I want to test myself now.
"After bouncing back and having a decent season I want to push on and make up for lost time in my career through injury or stupidity.
"I'm hungry to succeed and that can't happen soon enough and it would be great if it's at Newcastle."
