Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has admitted Manchester City beat him to Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz. "I'm looking to strengthen the squad and we've made inquiries for some good players," Redknapp told the Mail on Sunday.

"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-and-a-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."