IT seems players and football clubs are indulging themselves in a game of cat and mouse this summer.

Transfer activity has been minimal, even for those who are listed as free transfers because, if they're good enough, they will have the pick of a range of clubs.

And when that happens, the chances are they will wait until they are sure they are signing up for the best wage deal.

I know I've said it before, but wages hold the biggest sway for the majority of footballers, and they will bide their time for the most generous offer in that department. That's football.

But, at the same time, clubs who have players on their books who want out, like Billy Sharp at Scunthorpe and Jamie Cureton at Colchester, aren't necessarily going to accept the first approach.

The board would hold the aces if a bidding war was to break out for their prized assets and clubs, and players alike, could find themselves well into pre-season, or even the start of the new campaign, before any moves are completed.

Having said that, I have a feeling that Scunthorpe would be prepared to take a cut price for Sharp.

There is talk of them wanting somewhere in the region of £3million for the 21-year-old striker, and they are reported to have already turned down a £1.8 million offer from Wolves.

But I feel that is a figure that they may, in the end, accept because I'm not sure that's the kind of money a club like that can afford to turn down.

At one time, being a free transfer meant that you had been released by a club; that you were surplus to requirements. Through the Bosman rule that's all changed because that isn't necessarily the case these days.

It can be a player's decision and he will go where he can get the most money.