They can but they also have been known to spend a lot of money on reputations, some have come off but others haven't. I think Spurs are under rated in what they are doing.
Give Spurs the credit they deserve,
a) they are not inflating player prices (only when they sell)
b) they play young ( often English) players if they merit it rather than rely on reputation
c) they play good football
and no I am not a closet Spurs fan