Tonda Eckert sat down for a long conversation at Southampton's pre-season base in Germany. It covered fitness, injuries and the shape of the squad, but the part that will interest most fans came near the end.
Asked about his targets, Eckert said there had been "good progress" and that he hoped the club could "announce something soon". He would not put a name to it.
Speaking in his extended pre-season interview, Eckert framed the summer as a slow build rather than a scramble. Deals take time, he explained, because several parties sit around every negotiation.
Trust in the people making the calls
Eckert kept returning to one theme. He has faith in the board and in technical director Johannes Spors to land the right players.
"I have full confidence in the board and Johannes that we make the right decision and have a very, very strong squad," he said.
There is recent history behind that confidence. One assessment of the January window warned that the club kept chasing projects when it needed ready-made options.
Outgoings are part of the picture too. Eckert said interest in his players is a good sign, since it means they have done their jobs well. He expects some to move on earlier and others later.
Would he prefer the window shut before the season starts? Every manager would, he admitted, though he accepts that is not how football works.
Chances for the ones already here
When two academy names travelled to Germany, Eckert made a point of praising them. He described both Nicholas Oyekunle and Romeo Akachukwu as hungry.
Akachukwu spent the back half of last season on loan and has come back to press his case. Oyekunle joined the group late last term. In Eckert's words, he is willing to fight for his spot.
There is a strong case that these two deserve minutes before the club spends late on another forward. One recent piece argued that a natural finisher is already on the books and ready for a first-team look.
Colchester in the Carabao Cup is where those chances might open up.
The fitness news was calmer. Caspar Jander felt a muscle during a sprint against Eastleigh, though Eckert expects him back soon.
Finn Azaz is a small doubt for Colchester, so the Watford opener looks a more likely return.
Supporters are being asked to wait a little longer. Because the groundwork looks close to done, the announcement Eckert teased could turn out to be the first of several.
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