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Published: Thursday 04 Sep 2008
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City spend more than £20 million on new signings but Coates backs Pulis for further buys

by Michael Baggaley
michael.baggaley@thesentinel.co.uk

STOKE chairman Peter Coates says he will back manager Tony Pulis in the transfer market in January to help ensure City stay in the Premier League.

Coates has revealed the club has spent more than £20m on players this summer, enabling Pulis to rebuild his squad with ten signings.

City, who have recouped around £650,000 from the sales of Jon Parkin, Adam Rooney and Anthony Pulis, have spent more on transfers than promoted rivals, Hull City and West Brom.

Hull have spent £7.75m on fees. However, they have also invested in season-long loans and recruited high-profile free agents such as Brazilian striker Geovanni from Manchester City and defender Bernard Mendy from Paris St Germain.

West Brom have splashed out £21m, but recouped £8m from the sale of defender Curtis Davies to Aston Villa.

Stoke would have spent even more before Monday’s transfer deadline, but Cardiff turned down a £6m bid for winger Joe Ledley.

City also missed out on Wigan striker Henri Camara, Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant and Ipswich forward Jon Walters.

Coates says money is still available to strengthen when the transfer window reopens.

He said: “We will be looking in January. It will be dependent on what we need, but our next games will enable us to answer that.

“We will strengthen if we can find the right players to fit our requirements.

“But we have spent more than £20m and I think we have done well. You would always like more but one or two deals were not to be.”

Coates says City’s Premier-League status means some clubs bump up their asking price for players.

He also believes the takeover of Manchester City by Middle East billionaires is likely to mean transfer fees will rise throughout the division.

He said: “The market is very expensive, but that is the market we are in. You either deal with that or you don’t get players.

“I think the Manchester City developments are likely to inflate prices. I would like to think that would be more at the top end of the market than the rest, but there is often a knock on effect. It’s fair to say it won’t help.”

However, Coates remains upbeat that City will be staying in the top flight for more than a season.

He added: “I have always been confident we will compete and have a go. That’s not changed, we have a good squad of players.

“In January we will see what we need and, if we can find the right players, we will strengthen the team further.”