Source: Daily_Mail
Harry Redknapp: Manchester City's spending won't stop until they have won Champions League
ShareHarry Redknapp expects Manchester City's imminent qualification for the Champions League to launch their transfer policy into another dimension. [LNB]Redknapp takes Tottenham to Eastlands tonight with injury problems piling up after scans showed Gareth Bale ruptured ankle ligaments against Blackpool on Saturday.[LNB]Luka Modric is also doubtful, although the Spurs manager has virtually conceded defeat in the race for fourth and suspects City's wealthy Middle Eastern owners already have ambitious targets lined up for a summer frenzy of spending to bolster manager Roberto Mancini's squad. [LNB]'They don't need the money,' said Redknapp. 'The man from Abu Dhabi has got so much money, I mean, it isn't like money to him, is it? They're probably going to spend another ?200million this summer. [LNB] Hey, big spenders: Manchester City sported ?16million Nigel de Jong, ?27m Edin Dzeko, ?24m Yaya Toure and ?30m David Silva in their line-up against Everton on Saturday[LNB]'I know people there who said, 'The one thing we couldn't offer was Champions League football'. But they tell me they've got one or two players signed already who'll blow your brains out. They're not going to stop until they win the championship, then the Champions League, and I can see them doing it.' [LNB]City take on Stoke in the FA Cup final on Saturday, searching for their first trophy since they won the League Cup in 1976. [LNB] Money no object: Roberto Mancini[LNB]Season tailing off: Harry Redknapp[LNB] 'They'll want to get a trophy on the board,' said Redknapp. 'They'll want to win the FA Cup but the ChampionsLeague is the more important one for them. They needed Champions Leaguefootball. [LNB]'They've got a strong squad which is only going to get better because they've unlimited funds to buy anybody they want, and they can pay the wages. They might be shopping in a different market to us this year.' [LNB]Earlier this season Redknapp claimed Spurs were title contenders, but they have drifted out of contention since the turn of the year, something the manager attributes largely to the fading influence of Bale and Rafael van der Vaart. [LNB]'We relied on that spark we had from people who were winning games for us, Gareth and Rafa in particular,' he said. 'I'm not blaming them. I'm just saying they were so good. Gareth was the key. He was almost unplayable. He was flying. Suddenly we lost him for quite a long time.' [LNB]Bale injured his back in January and was out for six weeks. Then he failed to hit the same peaks as he struggled with tight thigh and hamstring muscles and will not play again this season following the latest ankle injury. [LNB]'It's a blow obviously but we've been without Gareth quite a bit recently,' said Redknapp. 'In the last couple of months, he's had injuries and hasn't really come back in the same form.' [LNB]Bale will be in a protective boot for 12 days but is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training. [LNB]The silver lining for Redknapp might be that it deters Inter Milan and Real Madrid, who have been eyeing a swoop for the Welshman.[LNB] Bale out with ruptured ligament but Spurs sure he'll be fit for new seasonWe need a miracle! Harry casts doubt over Spurs' Champions League dream Roll over for City? You're barking mad! Pennant insists Stoke relish Cup final underdog tagAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinionAll the latest Tottenham Hotspur news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Roberto Mancini, Gareth Bale, Harry Redknapp, Luka Modric
