Karl Robinson has hit out at the 'ludicrous' wages that have been offered by certain clubs in League One.
The Oxford United boss claims some teams in the division are offering "£10,000 a week for defenders" as clubs target promotion back into the Championship.
Sunderland, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday are among the big hitters in the division while Wigan are also showing their spending power following on from their takeover.
The Black Cats are in the middle of a massive squad overhaul after they limped out of the semi-finals of the play-offs against Lincoln City.
Robinson says that the Yellows have had to increase their transfer budget in an attempt to maintain a promotion push but believes it's "ludicrous" the direction that the league is going.
Speaking to BBC Oxford, Robinson said: "We’re going to spend more money next season.
“We have a transfer pot available which is brilliant, but we’re probably going to be in the same position in the (spending) league.
“We’re having to spend to stay anywhere near.
“There are teams in our league offering £10,000 a week for defenders and you’re thinking ‘this is ludicrous where this league is going’.
“We can’t get anywhere near this.”
