Town manager Paul Jewell has begun his search for additions to his squad for next season and has revealed that he has spoken to the representatives of a couple of players who are out of contract in the summer. The Blues boss says he expects more Championship players than ever to be available on free transfers during the close season.
Jewell said: "It’s not like the season finishes and everyone picks the phone up, it’s an ongoing thing. Even when the transfer window is shut [that goes on].
"I spoke to a couple of agents [yesterday] morning regarding players who are out of contract for next season. That happens, that’s the way the world is.
"It’s difficult because they, like our lads who are out of contract, are saying to their agents that they want to see what’s around.
"It’s a terrible time really because you’re trying to get in quick and sometimes you make the first offer and then they use that as a bargaining tool, so it’s a really difficult balancing act.”
The Liverpudlian doesn’t expect to be handed a massive transfer war chest this summer: "I’m speaking to Marcus next week, but there won’t be lots of money for me to spend. Like every manager I’ll have to wheel and deal.
"There’ll be a lot more frees around this year than there have been in previous years because of the economic climate - clubs can’t afford to pay their players what they were getting paid.”
He says his summer signings are more likely to be in the mould of Aaron Cresswell than some of the more senior players who were brought in last year: "We’ve got to start making progress, bringing younger players through, bringing less high profile players in.
"Having said that, supporters love high profile players when you sign them. But look at Cressy. When we signed him I don’t think anyone knew who he was and he’s been one of our most consistent players and at 22 he’s only going to get better.”
Jewell says people throughout the game have to learn to build over time as opposed to spending big for immediate results: "Players and managers need to realise that the game is struggling financially and rather than just throwing money at it we’ve got to try and have a system that works where we can see progress for the future rather wanting success instantly.
"I’m not saying we’ve made huge progress but I’ve been here a full season now and I’m in the final year of my contract next year, so I want to start moving quickly. But that doesn’t mean to say that everything has to happen overnight.”
Meanwhile, the Blues are reported to be in competition with Leeds and Burnley for the signature of long-time target Jason Pearce, who is expected to leave crisis club Portsmouth in the summer.