Keates has already added former Tranmere Rovers striker Andy Cook, ex-Burnley prospect Josh Ginnelly and former Wrexham goalkeeper Chris Dunn to his squad and is still working hard to secure new signings ahead of the opening day clash with Plymouth Argyle.
But the gaffer insists that he and the fans must be patient as we're only in mid-June, with many players happy to wait until their current contract expires at the end of the month before making a move.
Dean, who was speaking via the Express & Star, said; "It’s a waiting game at the moment. It is slow but from speaking to people, it’s the same for everyone - it’s not just ourselves. We have got offers out there. But it’s still mid-June. And players do what they do, they want to wait to see what their best option is or who will offer the most money. Football League contracts don’t terminate until June 30. Then there is the severance pay throughout July. It will pick up soon."
The manager, who is set to take charge of his first fill season as Saddlers boss then went on to insist that the 2018 FIFA World Cup is playing a part in the Transfer Window, with many players happy to wait until the tournament is over before deciding their futures, he continued; "We have taken a couple of lads from non-league. But they are the easy ones because as soon as the season finishes in non-league, that’s when the contracts finish. At the end of the season, those players haven’t got a job.
"But with most transfers there is often a domino effect - one move leads to another. With the World Cup going on, there will be a lot of players out in Russia who are on the verge of a move. But they won’t get everything finalised until they come back. That’s when things will start to trickle down. But it doesn’t mean we are not working hard. You can still talk to players, sell yourself and sell the club as best you can."