Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson has speculated that the eye-watering spending of the Saudi Pro League has made English football’s transfer market “crazy” – even at the lower levels.

The Blues boss says the summer transfer window has been the most difficult he has ever experienced.

He says Carlisle have been quoted unrealistic figures time and again as they have gone after targets.

Simpson spoke out ahead of transfer deadline day with United still trying to bring a striker in with hours left in the summer window.

Speaking about the challenges the Cumbrians have faced, he said:

“The biggest thing for me is the jump in finances that’s [happened], maybe with being League One but maybe the market as well. It’s just gone absolutely crazy.

"I know the Saudi league and the money they’re talking seems a million miles from where we are, but I don’t know whether that’s made everybody a bit crazy with the money. It’s gone through the roof.

"[It's like] when you go and buy a TV and think, 'Well, I’ve got x-amount of pounds to spend and I think that model of TV is worth that money', but they want double the price and you can’t go and have that.

"We’re in that market where we know what we can afford to pay, so we’re looking, and they’re coming up with ridiculous figures. So it’s really frustrating.

"Thankfully we’re sat in a position where the directors are prepared to go and put the money forward for it, hopefully they stick with us and they keep doing that."

Simpson said yesterday that Carlisle had made a number of offers to buy players, including three that would have broken the club’s transfer record.

But they have faced a string of disappointments when it has come to getting signings over the line.

United have until 11pm to add to their squad and have been working on striker targets throughout the day so far in the hope of a breakthrough.