Why does it take us so so long to get a transfer done, it surely leads to other clubs getting anyone we are supposed to be after.
Remember not a criticism a question.

What makes you think it takes us longer?
So far, the players we've brought in during this window have arrived in a reasonably timely manner. Look how long it's taken other clubs to get their targets over the line.

I think a lot depends on the nature of the negotiations. Look how much time Citeh wasted on trying to get Kane in.

The Nketiah situation is a classic one of who is going to blink first? Arsenal set a silly price for him. We offered a low price knowing that Arsenal will either have to come to some arrangement or lose him for peanuts in January or free next summer. It seems that both sides are moving toward an agreement although the latest rumour re the Real Madrid striker currently on loan at Roma may mean we're not sure we'll get Nketiah over the line in time.

As for our acquiring our new CBs. We wanted Guehi enough to pay top dollar for him but got Andersen at a bargain price because Lyon needed the money badly.
IMO Villa overpaid for their new players but then they knew that Citeh were going to pay silly money for Grealish.

We can't afford to pay silly money so negotiations will take time. Look at the Hughes deal. We didn't simply pay Watford what they wanted we've come to a compromise that both clubs have accepted.

Edited by doombear (27 Aug 2021 6.04pm)

Try reading reputable media outlets, not click bait sites that have clubs linked with various players, they arent interested in and never were,

That's what everyone said when they bought Ollie Watkins last year

Yes, it's a fair question. The title even sought to avoid the kind of responses that followed. That's how life is a lot of the time!