Lambert: Fees for players are ‘out of control’

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert has criticised inflated transfer fees for distorting the market as he bids to add to his Premier League squad.

He said: “It’s tough to get lads. Where does the money stop or where do you actually start? I think the prices are really inflated. The money at the minute for transfer fees is out of control at times and that’s the hard thing to do, especially for ourselves. We can only do what we can do.”

Lambert has spent a reported �1.5m on bringing James Vaughan from Everton and �2.1m, rising to �2.8m, for Millwall’s Steve Morison.

He is also understood to have agreed a �1.5m fee for Brighton winger Elliott Bennett, with Leeds United midfielder Bradley Johnson expected to arrive on a free transfer.

“I think we’re close on a couple (of signings) at the minute and we’ll try and get them in by the time we get the group back,” he said.

“By the time they come back altogether then they can get to know each other and hopefully integrate with the ones that are already there.

“We need half a dozen or so to come in and give us a hand.

“We’ve got a couple in at the minute, and hopefully we’ll get a few more over the next few weeks.”