Patient Neal Ardley is playing the waiting game with his AFC Wimbledon transfer targets.

GetWestLondon revealed last month that Ardley has drawn up a shortlist of seven new recruits as he shapes his squad for a crack at promotion next season.

The Dons are yet to add to their ranks though having allowed Sammy Moore, Ross Worner, Jack Smith, Mark Phillips and Alfie Potter to leave Kingsmeadow this summer.

Those five departures, coupled with an increased playing budget for next term, means Ardley has money to spend in the transfer market.

Some of that cash has been used to keep hold of star striker Bayo Akinfenwa, with the Beast yesterday rejecting a move to the MLS in favour of signing an improved contract at Wimbledon.

Staying: AFC Wimbledon's Adebayo Akinfenwa

The retainment of the powerhouse forward will help Ardley persuade a few of his potential recruits to sign on the dotted line but has warned fans that might not happen for a few weeks.

He told Dons Player: “If I’m honest, it’s brutal out there. There’s a few clubs out there throwing silly money at it. We’ve got to be more patient.

“I can assure you that in the three weeks before I went away on holiday I was very busy. I’ve got more meetings planned, second meetings, third meetings, but sometimes agents play games.

“We’ve got a few in mind and we’re hopeful that over the next two or three weeks that a few will be coming through the door.

AFC Wimbledon's 2014-15 season in quotes

“Players talk to players. You have to make a fuss of them and when they come in that door, first impressions last and you want someone going away impressed.

“I’ve been given a good budget this season, the club have worked hard to give that to me, and I’m not going to throw it away needlessly.

“We had a couple of big meetings at the end of the season to nail down what we wanted and why. We’re trying to stick to that.

Pointing the way: AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley

“Maybe some of the players that really fit the bill aren’t available on free transfers and they’re at other clubs.

“Although you’re in dialogue with a club and you think there might be half a chance, you’ve still got to wait for them to bring in a few players before they start thinking something can be done.”

Youngsters Tom Beere and Will Nightingale enjoyed breakthrough seasons in 2014-15 and are expected to remain in the manager’s plans for next term.

Defender Ryan Sweeney is also pushing for starts in the heart of the Dons defence.

Read more:Neal Ardley adapts AFC Wimbledon transfer policy.

poll loading

Where do AFC Wimbledon need to strengthen?