I'm sure they can pay a lot more than we can. A couple of examples - Jovanovic is on 120k a week, I think Joe Cole is on 90k a week. I suspect Downing would be on about 100k and can't see us offering that.
This is why Liverpool won't pay the money because they have to bring down their wage bill. I can't see then offering him 100 grand +. They can't afford it.