Stoke City chairman Peter Coates admits they're playing a waiting game in the early weeks of the summer market.

"Yes, it is all a bit slow at the moment," said Coates, "and we are not on the brink of anything imminently. But we are working on a lot of things. Unfortunately, they take time and it can be a slow process waiting for things to drop into place."

Trade nationwide has been slow, too, with half of the Premier League's 20 clubs yet to make their first signing by the start of this week.

"Overall, very few deals have been struck when you look at it," Coates continued.

"There has only been one or two at the top end which everyone knew were going to happen, such as (Roque) Santa Cruz to Manchester City."