Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has claimed that he wants to finalise his transfer business early in the summer window.
The North East club, who acquired the signature of free agent Carlos Cuellar earlier this month, have been linked to the likes of Marseille defender Rod Fanni and Aston Villa's James Collins in recent weeks.
"It's quite possible that many clubs will look to do their transfer business later this time around," O'Neill told the Shields Gazette.
"They may well be wanting to take their time over their moves. They may well be waiting to see what happens with a few high-profile transfers they could be anticipating in the market and then look to exploit whatever situation arises from that.
"But that's not a scenario that applies to us. We're in a situation where we know exactly who we are after and we are in the process of trying to acquire them."
The Black Cats finished 11th in the Premier League table last season.
Danielle Joynson
