Tottenham tried to sign Barry admits Redknapp

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed he was in the hunt for Manchester City new boy Gareth Barry.

The England midfielder joined Mark Hughes' side from Aston Villa for £12m earlier this week.

"This week, I tried to sign Gareth Barry," Redknapp told The Sun. "I felt he would be a good addition for Spurs and I knew we had to make a decent offer for a top England player.

"Liverpool were also prepared to make a big offer.

"But we have both been blown out of the water by Manchester City.

"They offered a far bigger transfer fee and are giving the lad much bigger wages. We could not get near."

Barry became the first of what is expected to be a clutch of big-money City signings this summer, and Redknapp believes their financial clout could help them win the Premier League title before long.

He added: "It wouldn't surprise me if they won the title quite soon as they seem to have more money than everybody else."

Redknapp also hit out at the money in football, saying: "While I benefit from a good wage, I'm embarrassed about it, to be honest. A lot of people in football are embarrassed."