Source: Daily_Mail
Big-spending City have moved goalposts, says Spurs boss Redknapp
Harry Redknapp has admitted Manchester City have completely changed football's economics with their massive offers of wages and transfers, leaving the rest of the Premier League struggling.
The Tottenham manager revealed that City's millions had beaten him to the punch on his two major summer targets, Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.
'I'm looking to strengthen the squad and we've made inquiries for some good players,' said Redknapp. 'But it's very difficult. City have blown us out of the water. Regarding two of the players we were strong on, in the end we could not compete with Manchester City. They are working on another level with the wages they can offer.
'We liked Barry and Santa Cruz but when it came to it we just weren't at the races. The wages they offer have gone sky high. Glen Johnson has gone to Liverpool and is picking up two-anda- half times the wages he was getting at Portsmouth.
'There is no doubt City are making it very difficult for the rest. Barry only had a year left on his contract and would have been a terrific signing for us, but they are probably paying him double what we would have given him, so we had no chance.'
But Redknapp still believes he will start the season with a squad capable of getting Spurs into Europe. 'I think we can pick up from where we left off at the end of last season,' he said, having guided Spurs to eighth after joining them when they were in the bottom three. 'When it comes to signing players it means we have to adjust our sights accordingly.
'If you're clever you can still get good players. Look at Sir Alex Ferguson's signing of Michael Owen. I think he's done well to get him. People may criticise him, but he's taken a player on a free transfer who could go and get 20 goals next season in a team like that. I think it's a fantastic signing and Alex will get as much pleasure out of that if it comes as he would paying £30million for Tevez.
'I did that with Kanu. I took him to Portsmouth on a free from West Bromwich and people wondered whether I was mad.
'But he did unbelievably well for me. He scored the winning goal in a cup semi and a final. When you take somebody like that and everybody doubts you there's nothing better when it comes off.
'There are players around like that; there are still some bargains to be had, it's just finding the right ones.'
Although Spurs supporters are anxious for transfer action, Redknapp is not prepared to join the transfer market explosion.
'We're not going to rush in,' he said. 'I have spoken to the chairman Daniel Levy and we've decided if we can't get players who will improve the team we're not going to bother. We've already got a decent squad, many of whom are going to get better. But we recognise we have to improve.
'If Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate stay injury-free we'll be strong at centre-half and the goalkeeping situation is much better. After early problems with Heurelho Gomes, he looked a different proposition to the one he was when I took over. We ended the season with two excellent keepers in him and Carlo Cudicini.
'I think the fans were genuinely happy with what happened after I came. When you've only got two points from eight games, you're in trouble, aren't you?
'Confidence was low but by the end of the season we had a great home record. We've got to improve the away results next season. If we can do that we can push to finish in the top six. That has to be our aim and I believe we can achieve it.'
