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Duo slipped through Harry's fingers
Tottenham Hotspur, 12:40, July 5, 2009 ,
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has revealed he missed out on Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz because of Man City's spending power.
The White Hart Lane chief is looking to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited from Juande Ramos last October but knows he is waiting for the so-called Big Four plus City to make their moves first.
He 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. 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."
City paid just under £30m for Barry and Santa Cruz after signing them from Aston Villa and Blackburn respectively.