Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin freely admits the Reds have been put off doing high-profile business in a “ridiculous” Irish League transfer market.
Full-time clubs Larne and Glentoran have both shelled out in the region of £100,000 for Lee Bonis and Shay McCartan in the past six months.
McCartan joined the Glens from Ballymena for £120,000 in August while Bonis switched Portadown for Inver Park for a reported £100,000 earlier this month.