Tottenham Hotspur Football Club News

• Nickname:Spurs
• Founded:1882
• Manager:Harry Redknapp

• Ground:White Hart Lane
• Capacity:36,240

Harry rues City's strength

05 Jul 2009 - 13:07:59

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has admitted he had been hoping to sign both Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz this summer.

Barry opted to leave Aston Villa for Manchester City though, while Paraguay international Santa Cruz is also now at Eastlands after spending the last two seasons with Blackburn Rovers.

It has been a frustrating summer for Redknapp, who told the Mail on Sunday: "I'm looking to strengthen the squad and we've made enquiries for some good players.

"But it's very difficult. (Manchester) City have blown us out of the water. We can't compete with them. They're 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-and-a-half times the wages he was getting at Portsmouth. There's 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're probably paying him double what we'd have given him, so we had no chance.

"We're not going to rush in. I've spoken to the chairman Daniel Levy and we've decided, if we can't get players who'll 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."