Monday 3 July 2017 17:49, UK
Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp is targeting "five or six" new players, after Aston Villa completed the signing of John Terry.
Terry, who left Chelsea following a glittering 22-year stay at the Premier League champions, has signed a one-year deal at Villa Park.
However, Redknapp now hopes to use his transfer budget on a larger pool of players ahead of the start of the Championship season, with Birmingham beginning their campaign against Ipswich Town on August 5.
"We made John a fantastic offer," Redknapp told Sky Sports News HQ. "I'd be a liar, if suddenly when he's gone to our rivals, I stood here and said we didn't want him.
"That's not true - I have been one of John's biggest fans, I think he is a fantastic player. We made him a good offer early but to be honest it was always a difficult one because I felt maybe I am looking to bring in five or six players."
Redknapp, who joined Birmingham City as manager towards the end of last season, kept the Blues in the Championship on the final day of the campaign and believes it may have proved to be a gamble to use the majority of his transfer budget on one summer signing.
"To put all my eggs in one basket was (a risk), I thought maybe I am better off spreading (my budget) and that will get me the five or six players perhaps with the money we would have paid on John," he said.
"Having said that, I would be a hypocrite if I stood here and said he wasn't a top player. Aston Villa have signed a fantastic player - there is no doubt about that.
"But I am hoping I will get five or six players very good players in who can make us a better all-round team."
He added: "It's John's decision and I respect whatever decision John made," Redknapp said. "As I say, I have always been a fan of his.
"He has been an outstanding player for many years and a great captain."
