I remember the good old days when, if you agreed a transfer fee with a club, it was a done deal.

Not that players were 'slaves' as Cristiano Ronaldo would have us believe but rather they would choose to play for a manager that wanted them, rather than one that didn't.

So when Marcus Evans' millions flowed into our coffers, there was an air of excited anticipation that it was a case of sit back and wait for a sea of big name signings to flow into Portman Road. But this has been far from the case.

In the recent weeks we have agreed deals with the clubs of Rudi Skacel, Angelos Charisteas, David Nugent, Shola Ameobi and Moritz Volz but, at the time of writing, not one has put pen to paper.

Ameobi's deal falling through this week was the most frustrating as it seemed so close to completion but also it was a relief, as it was a failed medical that saw the transfer collapse.

The Newcastle United striker seemed just the sort of targetman we need but the big question mark hanging over him was his injury record and at least we have recognised the problem before we handed over the cash.

The deal does not appear to be dead but I do wonder whether a player, with just 12 months left on his contract, will want to sign a permanent deal in January just months away from a big Bosman-style pay day.

The acquisition of Volz looked a done deal when Jim announced a fee had been agreed but the fact the German full-back, notorious for riding a foldup bike to training rather than a flash sports car, has made no reference to Town in his online diary, Volzy.com, means this transfer looks dead too.

Even with players possibly exiting Portman Road, it is never clear cut.

The rumours still persist about Jon Walters leaving before the end of the month and this week it was reported Alex Bruce had announced he was going, via a message on social networking site Facebook.

Bruce rubbished the story but there is no doubt there is going to be ins and outs before the transfer window closes a week on Monday.

All the talk of transfers, means Saturday's superb 3-0 victory at Burnley appears to be almost forgotten and tomorrow's game pushed firmly to the back of supporters' thoughts.

If we beat Wolves tomorrow, our player chase will be an intriguing sideshow but if we lose, it will be the main event in the coming days.