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.
Many have argued that a hike in transfer fees is a positive for the league with selling clubs benefiting on a financial level and more money swirling around the local game.
But McLaughlin says one unavoidable consequence is the fact other clubs are now struggling to get high profile deals across the line in such an inflated market.
He said: “Every team, players and fans want to see new faces coming in; it gives you a new injection of energy, so you never know what could happen.
“But I do think the figures players and clubs are looking for at the minute is ridiculous. It’s madness.
“When one player goes for a big fee, everybody wants a big fee and it’s not fair on the other clubs trying to sign players.
“If that’s what people want to spend, so be it, but I don’t think everybody else has to spend the same whenever you want to sign a player.”
McLaughlin suggested that Cliftonville, who lie third in the Premiership just six points off new leaders Glentoran, might have to wait until the summer to make any major signings ahead of next season.
Asked if Bonis’ recent big-money move to Larne had impacted the market, he said: “They can obviously do that and I’m sure people are envious of Larne that they can do that.
“It’s up to the rest of us to attract other players who wouldn’t cost as much or put your club in a difficult position to pay off.
“But the clubs now want big fees and players big wages. If they get it elsewhere, fair play to them, but we won’t be in a position to throw money about like some clubs are.
“It might be something we have to steer clear of and wait until the summer when players are free agents. That’s a better market for us.”
Cliftonville confirmed the loan signing of Aberdeen midfielder Mark Gallagher on Saturday.
The 20-year-old, who began his career at Ross County and spent the first half of the season with Forfar Athletic, is expected to be available for Saturday’s Irish Cup trip to Carrick Rangers.
