Walsall closing in on targets – Whitney

The 46-year-old revealed 10 days ago that the Saddlers were close to making their first signings of the summer.

Having verbally agreed to move to the Banks’s Stadium, Whitney is confident the two defenders will be announced the week commencing June 12 – once they return from their holidays.

And the boss also confirmed talks are progressing well with his other targets.

“We are in really late negotiations with a full-back and a centre-half,” Whitney said.

“We have agreed verbally that they will join us.

“And we are hoping to announce them the week after next when these players come back from their holidays. They are players that are still contracted in June.

“We are very hopeful with them and I’m in negotiations with two or three others as well.

“Talks with those players are also progressing well.”

Whitney said he will keep his transfer targets close to his chest with the boss not wanting to name anyone until they have signed on the dotted line.

“I just want to be a bit careful because last year we were gazumped on two or three deals,” he continued.

“You have got to be careful because a lot of agents will use you as leverage.

“We just have to make sure we get them on the dotted line before we let the fans know.

“We are though quite hopeful that we can get the majority of our lads in before the start of pre-season. That is my key aim.

“We would like to get them in ready for the start of pre-season because that gives us extra time to work with them and for them to get settled into the group.”