Gerard Lyttle believes Glentoran boss Mick McDermott is "inside Linfield's head a wee bit" as the title race gathers pace.
McDermott's Glens sit top of the Irish Premiership, just two points above their Big Two rivals with 13 games remaining this season.
It was reported at the weekend that Glentoran had launched an audacious bid to sign Blues striker Christy Manzinga, who comes out of contract this summer.
The 27-year-old is Linfield's top scorer this season on 19 goals, the French-born forward leading the line as the champions look to keep the Gibson Cup out of their bitter rivals' reach.
The Glens have flexed their financial clout in recent transfer windows, landing some big-money signings including Shay McCartan who cost £100,000.
They have also had high-profile bids turned down, including a reported £60,000 move for Cliftonville talisman Joe Gormley back in January 2020.
Speaking on Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast, former Irish League boss Gerard Lyttle believes some of the transfer moves could simply be mind tricks from Oval manager McDermott.
"I think in the past Mick has played some blinders with Linfield, and I think he is in Linfield's head a wee bit," Lyttle said.
"I think he did something similar with other players. He apparently offered money for players and didn't get them, but he didn't have any interest in getting them anyway. And then Linfield jumped in and got them and paid over the odds, and all these rumours.
"It is Mick being Mick, and it just sums up the league and that rivalry between the top two who are competing at the top of the table.
"So I think Glentoran are in the driving seat right now."
Glentoran added Michael O'Connor, Sean Murray and Darren Cole in the January window, while Linfield brought in Rangers pair Chris McKee and Jack Hastie alongside Ben Hall and Kieron Evans.
Lyttle believes it could take time for any new faces to find their feet in the Irish League.
"I used to hate bringing in a lot of players at the one go. It is managing that and trying to bed them in and get them settled," he said.
"You could be lucky to hit the ground running, but it always takes a season to get new players into the swing of things. Glentoran did most of their business early on.
"My only fear with the Linfield signings is making so many, and unknown as well. Especially coming to this league which is a tough, tough league.
"Players come from across the water and think they will play every week, but it doesn't work out that way."
Meanwhile, former Linfield captain Michael Gault believes this season's title race appears destined to go to the wire.
Speaking on the podcast, he added: "To be fair Glentoran have strengthened really well and they are going well in the league. They had a slow start and got some criticism, but they have brilliant players there and a good squad.
"They have 24-25 really good first-team players and they are going all out to win the league this season. But it will be very tight between the Glens and Linfield.
"These signings Linfield have made could make a big impact and it will be exciting to watch.
"If these new signings pick up and come in all guns blazing, it makes it really fascinating."
