YESTERDAY'S announcement by Weymouth boss David Oldfield might well have led to a few sinking hearts among the Terras' faithful.

While Oldfield revealed no new summer signings are imminent, Weymouth fans can enviously point to an active off-season at near neighbours Dorchester and Portland.

The Magpies have signed ten players already, while Portland have gone even better with 16 - enough to fill an entire matchday squad.

But Oldfield did confess that talks with some existing players are "more advanced than others" and his open communication has largely gone down well with fans.

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So, what do we know about Weymouth's summer of player dealings so far?

CONTRACTED PLAYERS

THERE are six contracted players currently in the squad for the 2022/23 Vanarama National League South season.

Tyler Cordner, Ahkeem Rose, Sean Shields, Ollie Harfield, Tom Blair and Omar Mussa all have deals for 2022/23.

However, Echosport understands four of the six could leave the Bob Lucas Stadium this summer.

Cordner and Shields are free to speak to a number of clubs in competition for their services and, due to a relegation clause in their existing deals, can leave the Terras this summer.

As previously reported, Mussa is also expected to leave as Weymouth seek to cash in on his obvious talent.

It is understood a National League club was seriously interested in the midfielder in January, although Weymouth opted to keep him.

The last of the four potentially leaving is Ollie Harfield, who has been widely linked with Aldershot and a reunion with ex-Weymouth boss Mark Molesley.

Blair and Rose are expected to stay for 2022/23.

PLAYER TALKS

OLDFIELD enjoyed a holiday in Kos in late May into June but the Terras have been working behind the scenes to speak to players out of contract.

Echosport understands four players from last season's squad, including three midfielders and a striker, are in advanced talks to sign for 2022/23.

One of the midfielders is particularly close to being announced, with Weymouth waiting on FA approval before publicly confirming.

Aside from that quartet, Weymouth are keen to reduce the number of players in their squad.

At one stage last season, Weymouth had 28 players but Oldfield and assistant Tom Donati are keen to construct a 20-player squad.

There is also the factor of players' wages. 

Players and their agents will often ask for inflated wage demands early in the summer before negotiating down to a lower price.

Oldfield is understood to be wary of this and doubly cautious of bringing the right players in for what is ultimately a massively important rebuild of the squad.

So, while there are no new players so far, expect a flurry of business before pre-season.