Huddersfield Town are being used to push up prices after being linked with Cardiff City, MK Dons and Watford men

Jun 25 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

NIGEL CLIBBENS has echoed Town boss Lee Clark by claiming constant speculation over transfer targets is hindering work to bolster the Galpharm squad.

The chief executive’s comments come in the wake of fresh reports of interest in Birmingham City striker Kevin Phillips and speculation that Town have made a £1m bid for Craig McKail-Smith, the frontman whose goals helped Peterborough United to win promotion from League I last season.

Back in May, Clark said: “Agents and clubs are trying to use our name to hike up prices and I’m fed up of it.”

Now Clibbens has joined the debate, insisting: “Suggesting we would pay £1m for a player makes a good headline, but in reality, it’s nonsense.

“There is no substance to the speculation over either Kevin Phillips, whose club have just been promoted to the Premier League, or Craig McKail-Smith.

“We are an ambitious club and we want to progress, but let’s be realistic. We are currently in League I, and our development must be within our means.

“There is the perception that we are able to splash the cash, both in the media and among some of our fellow clubs, and our name is sometimes used as a method of creating interest in a player and creating a market for him.

“But as we’ve stated, our spending will be within the budgets set down, and deals will only be completed if they are right for the club.”