The Preston boss admits he is among a host of managers hanging on for the floodgates to open so he can complete his summer recruitment
campaign.

But as the market continues to be log-jammed with just over two weeks of the August window to go, Irvine insisted today: "Something has got to give."

North End have been in talks with a number of targets over the past few weeks but have been frustrated as clubs, players and agents keep their options open until as late as possible.

"It may well be that people are getting ready to do some business, but it is still not proving significantly easier, that's for sure," he told the Evening Post.

"A lot of clubs are chasing the same players.

"We are still working away on a lot of things that might happen.

"But I have spoken to a lot of managers and they are all saying the same thing. I keep waiting for a couple of moves to spark a lot more moves.

"But as things stand there is nothing that is that close to
coming off.

"It gets to the point where there is a bit of a frenzy when it comes in the last week or the last couple of days. It is a bit of a crazy situation really."

Irvine's only previous experience of transfer window frustration as a manager was in January when he made two signings early in the month, but had to wait patiently until the last few days to sign two more.

For more from Alan Irvine, read Thursday's Lancashire Evening Post.