Rovers chairman John Williams predicts wages will soar this year to reflect the record spending on transfers.

Sports consultants Deloitte believe there will not be such a dramatic rise in players' salaries compared to transfer fees, but Williams disagrees.

Deloitte's report shows transfer spending by English clubs this summer has exceeded £500million, smashing the previous summer's £300million.

Williams said: "I have read the predictions that wages will not rise dramatically but my feeling is that wages will grow very considerably this year.

"The market is buoyant because of the TV money, there is an ability to pay and a willingness to invest."

Williams pointed out that it was not just the big clubs splashing out and that in terms of net spending, Arsenal and Chelsea had actually earned more than they had spent in transfers during the summer.

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson however insists it is understandable that domestic talent costs more - but claims it still makes sense to buy British.

He said: "You buy players who may have had a lot of success in the Dutch league or French league for example but that doesn't mean they are going to be successful in the Premier League. There is a bit of a gamble to take.

"You have to pay a little bit more for players who have a proven track record in the Premiership and that's fully understandable."