Club officials are hoping to move quickly during the summer break as boss John Sheridan looks to build a squad capable of winning automatic promotion.
Sheridan wants to bring in a goalkeeper, two left-sided players, a creative midfielder and possibly a striker, depending on his outlay elsewhere.
And Athletic’s owners, despite expressing their disappointment with last term’s drop in crowds — which cost the club around £345,000 — have stressed that money is available for team-building.
Athletic have already tied down several current players who were coming out of contract, with Mark Crossley, Andy Liddell, Deane Smalley and Lewis Alessandra signing deals in the last three weeks.
Gary McDonald rejected new terms and headed to Aberdeen, while JP Kalala can leave for free. But it’s expected that Stefan Stam’s position will soon be resolved with confirmation that the defender is staying.
Meanwhile, a host of big names and ex-Latics favourites will be flocking to Boundary Park on Sunday for the Ernie Cooksey benefit match.
The likes of Denis Irwin, Andy Ritchie, John Barnes, Gary McAllister, Paul Murray, Richie Wellens and actor Ralf Little are scheduled to appear in a vital fund-raiser for 27-year-old Ernie, who needs cancer treatment which costs at least £40,000.
The game kicks off at 1pm and admission costs a minimum donation of £5 (adults) or £2 (concessions).
There was a shock development in League One last night when Brighton, who finished the season one place above Athletic in seventh, appointed Micky Adams for a second spell as manager, replacing Dean Wilkins.
