I wanted Barry but couldn't compete with City's money, says Spurs boss

05 June 2009 14:09
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed he was in the hunt for Manchester City new boy Gareth Barry. The England midfielder joined Mark Hughes' side from Aston Villa for £12million earlier this week. 'This week, I tried to sign Gareth Barry,' Redknapp (right) told The Sun. 'I felt he would be a good addition for Spurs and I knew we had to make a decent offer for a top England player. 'Liverpool were also prepared to make a big offer. But we have both been blown out of the water by Manchester City. 'They offered a far bigger transfer fee and are giving the lad much bigger wages. We could not get near.' Barry became the first of what is expected to be a clutch of big-money City signings this summer, and Redknapp believes their financial clout could help them win the Premier League title before long. He added: 'It wouldn't surprise me if they won the title quite soon as they seem to have more money than everybody else.' Redknapp also hit out at the money in football, saying: 'While I benefit from a good wage, I'm embarrassed about it, to be honest. A lot of people in football are embarrassed.' Spurs will now turn their attention to signing Roque Santa Cruz this summer but have told Blackburn they will not pay more than £12million for the striker, which might see them battling once again with City, who tried to sign him last season and may go nearer to the £20m that Rovers want. Spurs are keen to strengthen their frontline even though they already have Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane, Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko at the club. The last two players are expected to leave the club, with Bent a £10m target for Sunderland. The England international has struggled to win over the fans since his £16.5m move from Charlton two years ago and Tottenham are prepared to let the 25-year-old go. Spurs are also interested in Marseille's Djibril Cisse but it is believed he will only be fourth-choice striker if he moves to north London. Having sold Barry to City, Villa boss Martin O'Neill is expected to use the transfer funds to mount a serious bid for Tottenham's David Bentley and Tom Huddlestone. O'Neill remains a fan of Bentley, despite the fact that he has proved a huge disappointment at White Hart Lane, following his £15m transfer from Blackburn last summer. But Spurs will have to take a loss on the player as O'Neill will offer in the region of £8m after Redknapp told the England international he is not part of his long-term plans. He is willing to pay a similar price for 22-year-old Huddlestone, a player he also rates.

Source: Daily_Mail