Paul Simpson says clubs have inflated their asking prices for players in response to Carlisle United’s new spending power.

The Blues manager also says the club have faced inaccurate “rumours” about the level of wages they are offering.

United have an increased budget under the Piataks and have made eight summer signings so far.

There is still cash to spend as Simpson targets a couple more new faces for the 2024/25 campaign.

But he said Carlisle will not bow to unrealistic demands – and he will not “spend money stupidly”.

On the summer market, the United manager said: “It's been tough because when it gets put out in public that there's a bigger budget, people ask for more money.

“Unfortunately, the way rumours go, the numbers get inflated even higher than what they actually are.

“I hear people talking to me saying, ‘I believe you've paid him such and such’ – no, we haven't, we've not paid anything near that sort of money.

“They've all got carried away a little bit. We've found that.

“We still have a structure in place that we're not going to go away from. We're going to be sensible about it.

“I will say the exact same thing as I've said all along, that I want to be successful for Carlisle United but I'm not going to spend money stupidly that in a couple of years' time people can hit me with the stick that I bust Carlisle United.

“I'm not prepared to do that. I'm working within the budget and so far I'm really pleased with what we've done.”

United have greater spending power under the Piatak ownershipUnited have greater spending power under the Piatak ownership (Image: Ben Holmes)

Simpson is hoping to bring in a new midfielder before the start of the season this weekend, following injuries to a number of players.

The Blues manager, meanwhile, played down the idea of more contract extensions having recently secured Jon Mellish on a new three-year deal.

Simpson said that was the only situation which he felt needed immediate action, with Mellish having been the subject of transfer interest earlier in the summer.

“That was the only one,” said Simpson.

“We have an idea of who we wanted to keep at the club.

“We got an offer for Jack Armer [from Burton Albion], and Jack Armer wanted to go. So, not going to keep players who don't want to be here.

“I'm still of that view that if players don't want to be here then we'll see what we can do.

“Jon Mellish, even though we had the inquiry, was adamant that he wanted to stay. So, we felt as a club that we should reward him.

“But at this moment there's no need to sit down with anybody else. We'll do that as and when we go through the season.”