Joey Barton insists Bristol Rovers "won’t be getting their pants pulled down by anybody anymore" as the club "changes tack" in the transfer market.
Barton revealed after Rovers' 1-0 win over Oxford United on Saturday that the Gas had called off a move for a target due to unrealistic expectations from a selling club. Barton did not specify which player he was referring to, but AFC Wimbledon's Luke McCormick and Barnsley's Luke Thomas are understood to be among Rovers' long-term targets.
Meanwhile, Bristol Live understands Burnley midfielder Adam Phillips, who spent last season on loan at Morecambe, has been made available to depart Turf Moor and the Gas are considering a move for the 24-year-old.
Rovers have made six signings so far this summer and Barton has repeatedly stated the importance of patience in the market to find value, with the manager eying as many as six more additions by August 31, but there is a growing sense of frustration with demands he feels are unrealistic.
"It’s going to go down to the last embers of the window," Barton said. "That’s just the way it is, unfortunately. If we can get things done before that, we will.
"We thought we were further down the track with something the other day. We’ve decided to completely change tack now because people are taking the p***. We’ve just moved targets.
"You try to strike a fair deal with people, but I think some people think they are playing Championship Manager at times. I think they forget what is fair value.
"We’ll change course on that and go in a different direction, and as I’ve said, we’ve got a good group. Look at the strength in depth that we’ve got on the bench. We’ve got to get them up to speed and build some robustness into those boys.
"We’ll add quality to that when and where we can, but Rovers won’t be getting their pants pulled down by anybody anymore. Those days are gone."
Midfielder Phillips, a product of Liverpool's academy, was signed by Burnley in 2019 after he was released by Norwich City. He is yet to feature in Burnley's first team but has extensive experience out on loan. He has had three loan stints with Morecambe, culminating in 86 appearances, 21 goals and 18 assists.
Seven of those goals and eight of the assists came for the Shrimps last season. He has also played for Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United.
Barton insists he has been fully backed by owner Wael Al-Qadi in the transfer market this summer, but the manager is determined to make the most of his budget by getting value for money.
Barton said: "Our owner has massive ambition and I have to rein it in from him when I'm talking about us getting value for money. It's not for Wael, it is me going 'No, there is a fair price'.
"We will pay fair prices for people but we are not going to get our pants pulled down. Too many times in the past that has happened here. We will get value for money and if that's not value for money, we'll go elsewhere. There are loads of targets out there.
"You want to play for us. Why would you not want to play for us? We make every player better. If you come in and you want to work hard and get better, we do everything at a ridiculously high level for the level we're playing at. It's Championship and above from every aspect.
"If you're a young player and you come here, you get better. If you're an idiot and you don't want to put it in and cut corners and you want to think there is a shortcut, you will get emptied out here because the group just won't have you.
"My commitment to the Gasheads is that every player that pulls on that jersey will give everything they've got for the football club because we're custodians, we don't own the club. We will all disappear in a period of time and we want to set a legacy here that sets the benchmark for the blue half of Bristol."
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