Holidays are being blamed for delays over Sunderland's triple swoop on Manchester United.
The Journal says Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is looking to reinvest the money received from the sale of Jordan Henderson to Liverpool by adding Wes Brown, Darron Gibson and John O'Shea to his squad before the start of pre-season training.
The fact most players and agents are on holiday - Bruce is staying at his Villa in Portugal - means the deals are not likely to be completed until the end of the month at the earliest.
It is understood that Manchester United have accepted the Black Cats' £12million offer.
