We specialise in not getting transfers over the line, truly
Based on what criteria??? We only know what is reported in the media - as do the fans of other clubs. It is impossible to compare because deals at other clubs that appear to get transfers over the line more quickly may have been ongoing for months and simply not known about publicly or reported.
In the case of Chermiti, it is likely someone we have tracked/scouted for a long time (no multimillion turnover business takes impromptu decisions without due diligence) and Sporting signing Gyokeres was the trigger for us to make a move. From then on there is a lot of moving parts, between clubs, player and agent, and we are hampered with likely needing to have to spend longer negotiate payment structure due to our financial position. I don't think that is any slower a process or much different to the majority of teams - other than perhaps three or four that have massive turnover and a strong cash position.