BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill admits he is not surprised by the slow pace of this summer's transfer market.

Even before the end of last season the Clarets chief anticipated that movements, in the Championship as a whole, would be few and far between in May and June.

Predicting the Clarets' own dealings, at the time, he said: "I don't think there will be an early transfer market this year, we've done things early before, but I don't anticipate that."

And, although Cotterill has already swooped to sign free transfer goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly and, dependent on a work permit, Albanian international Besart Berisha, he is not expecting the market to pick up until closer to the start of the forthcoming campaign.

Burnley have been one of the busier Championship clubs in the transfer market, with six clubs - Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton and West Brom, still waiting to complete their first signing.

And Cotterill believes a reduction in the stigma that was once attached to free transfer signings has played a significant role in the current transfer trend, with the potential for several clubs battling for the signature of one player.

"I spoke to Brian Laws the other day and he was saying how slow it is, with people not wanting to sign or commit themselves," the Burnley boss said.

"Those on free transfers are not wanting to commit themselves at this moment in time.

"I could see it happening this year. I don't just wait until the end of the season then see who's out there. I look into it quite early to find out what's going to be available.

"I knew this year there was going to be four or five clubs after the same players.

"It's almost turned full circle because being a free transfer wasn't so popular a couple of years ago. But now, if you're a good player, there's a great chance of four or five clubs are watching you, the wages up the ante and it becomes more difficult."

Cotterill, who is spreading his potential target net wide as he heads to Spain next week to watch three trial games, had hoped to secure last term's loan signing Eric Djemba-Djemba on a season-long loan deal from Aston Villa. But, at this stage, Villa manager Martin O'Neill is more keen to sell, with Benfica being linked to the former Manchester United midfielder.

Meanwhile, Burnley have dismissed reports linking them with Watford defender Clarke Carlisle.